Compositions, methods, kits and devices for molecular analysis

ABSTRACT

Provided herein is an electrophoresis separation medium comprising: (a) a non-crosslinked or sparsely cross-linked polymer or copolymer; (b) one or more denaturant compounds, in an amount sufficient to inhibit re-naturation of single stranded polynucleotides; (c) an aqueous solvent; (d) optionally, a wall-coating material suited to inhibition of electroosmotic flow; and (e) optionally, an organic water miscible solvent such as DMSO or acetonitrile, wherein the electrophoresis separation medium exhibits functional stability for at least seven days at 23° C. 
     Also provided herein are sieving compositions, including polymer-based sieving compositions, for molecular sieving as well as related kits, devices and methods of use. Such compositions can be useful for separation of biomolecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, glycoproteins and glycans.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a 371 National Phase of PCT/US2018/033972 filed May22, 2018, which claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) pending U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/509,560 filed May 22, 2017, and toU.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/675,057, filed on May 22, 2018.The entire contents of the aforementioned applications are incorporatedby reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to sieving compositions includingelectrophoresis mediums, and formulations thereof. The presentdisclosure further relates to related systems, kits and components, suchas electrophoresis capillaries, comprising the mediums, compositions,and formulations described herein. The present disclosure furtherrelates to methods of using the mediums, compositions, and formulationsdescribed herein, in applications that employ biomolecular sievingincluding but not limited to capillary electrophoresis. This disclosurefurther provides, among other things, an electrophoresis separationmedium. The mediums described herein are useful for separations, such asfor separations of biomolecules (including but not limited to nucleicacids, proteins, glycoproteins and glycans), and the mediums exhibit ashelf life, particularly at room temperature or above, that issignificantly longer than conventional compositions, includingcompositions containing urea as a denaturant.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) instruments are useful for analysis ofDNA samples, and are employed for, among other things, DNA sequencing,genotyping, and forensic genetic analyses. DNA analysis media for CEcontain dissolved, water-soluble polymers, for instance, linearpolyacrylamides, poly-N-substituted acrylamides, orpoly-N,N-disubstituted acrylamides, which, at appropriateconcentrations, are designed to form entangled polymer networks thatphysically “sieve” DNA molecules according to their size and shapeduring electrophoresis. Determination of DNA chain length and sequenceby capillary electrophoresis in turn yields many kinds of valuableinformation.

DNA molecules of interest often are initially obtained indouble-stranded, helical form (“dsDNA”). Yet for many applications it ispreferable to analyze DNA by electrophoresis in single-stranded,denatured form (“ssDNA”). Typically, dsDNA is denatured before analysisby brief (e.g., 3-minute) exposure to high heat (e.g., about 95° C.)prior to injection into an electrophoresis device. Maintainingdenaturation of single-stranded DNA fragments, especially of longer DNAmolecules (>120 nucleotides in length) during the analysis, as necessaryfor useful separation according to DNA chain length, typically requiresthe presence of chemical denaturants in the electrophoresis medium.

One DNA denaturant commonly used for electrophoresis is urea (Hutton, J.R. (1977). “Renaturation kinetics and thermal stability of DNA inaqueous solutions of formamide and urea.” Nucleic Acids Research 4(10):3537-3555).

Such sieving media comprising polymer networks are also used to separateand identify other molecules, such as proteins, glycoproteins andglycans. For example, such molecules can be separated and identified bycapillary electrophoresis.

Capillary array electrophoresis is a powerful concept allowinghigh-resolution separations of complex samples such as Sanger DNAsequencing and VNTR-based fragment analysis in multiple lanes to occursimultaneously. Multi-color fluorescence detection with sideillumination of the array with a radially-focused excitation laser beamis common in these applications. One challenge of this configuration canbe the uniform illumination across all the capillaries in the array.Using side illumination, the efficiency of laser light propagationthough an array of fused-silica capillaries arranged in a planer fashionand filled with separation medium can be dependent on optical factorsthat the array arrangement presents to the light of the laser beam. Suchfactors include, but are not limited to, capillary-to-spacing, capillarycurvature (inner- and outer capillary diameters), and the differences inrefractive index (RI) at the many interfaces in the excitation lightpath created by the three phases air, fused-silica and separation media.Various strategies are known in the art to reduce the refractive indexdifferences at these optical interfaces in order to eliminate or reducethe lensing effects at the interfaces, such as square-profile CEcapillaries, immersing the array in an ‘index-matching liquid’, andmatching the refractive index of the separation media as close aspossible to that of the fused-silica material that makes up the wall ofthe capillaries. In many currently available commercial separationpolymers, such as the POP®-4, -6 and -7 line of separation polymers,matching of the refractive index is largely based on the presence ofhighly concentrated (approx. 8M) urea in the separation polymer.

However, urea has a degree of chemical instability in aqueous media atpH 7-8. Degradation of urea can result in pH drift of theelectrophoresis medium and the introduction of bubbles, which impedeelectric current and degrade function and performance of the medium. Thetendency of urea to chemically degrade during storage, especially atroom temperature, is one reason why CE separation media generally arestored at 4° C., and is a major cause of the shortening of separationmatrix “shelf life” to (typically) less than 6 months, even in arefrigerator. Furthermore, polymer formulations prepared with urea havea limited use time of about 1-2 weeks after being installed on aninstrument.

Spontaneous hydrolytic degradation or alteration of DNA separationmatrix polymers can also play a role in CE matrix instability. The mostcommon type of water-soluble polymer used for DNA electrophoresis islinear polyacrylamide, which is normally a charge-neutral polymer.However, polyacrylamide is labile to hydrolysis at pH 8, the typicalbuffer pH used for DNA electrophoresis. If a polyacrylamide separationmatrix is allowed to remain at room temperature for a significant periodof time (24 hours or longer), or kept at 4° C. for more than about sixmonths, then amide groups within polymer side chains can reactspontaneously with water molecules via hydrolysis, chemically modifyingthe reacted side chains into negatively charged acrylic acid groups.Negative charges created on the polymer make it an inferior DNAseparation matrix. The hydrolyzed, negatively charged polymers canmigrate in an applied electric field, or create local electroosmoticflows of electrophoresis buffer; the user then will observe broader DNApeaks, which make it more difficult to extract the desired data andinformation from the analytical DNA separation.

For example, if the known urea-containing formulations are stored atroom temperature or left on an instrument for more than 2 weeks, theformulations begin to degrade. As a result, the resolution observedduring capillary electrophoresis begins to decline, and the electricalconductivity of the formulations increases. Aging the polymerformulations containing Urea at 37° C. accelerates this degradation andafter 2 weeks at 37° C., the formulations display electricalconductivities 3 to 4 times higher than unaged formulations. If theelectrical conductivity changes with time, resolution observed duringcapillary electrophoresis can be degraded.

Other chemical denaturants of biomolecules (such as DNA) includeN-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, δ-caprolactam and N-methyl-caprolactam (U.S.Pat. No. 6,051,636, Johnson et al., “Entrapment of Nucleic AcidSequencing Template In Sample Mixtures By Entangled Polymer Networks”(2000)), as well as guanidinium hydrochloride, dimethylformamide (DMF),dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Some of these denaturants, e.g., DMF, arerelatively unstable over time in aqueous solution.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect disclosed herein is a stable separation matrix forcapillary electrophoresis, in particular for electrophoresis of DNA,which can be stored at room temperature or above for extended periods oftime, without suffering deleterious degradation in its DNA separationperformance for analytical applications such as DNA sequencing,genotyping, or forensic analysis. The separation matrix combines the useof hydrolytically stable chemical denaturants for DNA, with dissolvedDNA sieving polymers or copolymers that are also stable to hydrolysis atpH 8 over extended periods of time.

In one aspect, this disclosure provides an electrophoresis separationmedium comprising: (a) a non-crosslinked or sparsely cross-linkedpolymer or copolymer; (b) one or more denaturant compounds, in an amountsufficient to inhibit re-naturation of single stranded polynucleotides;(c) an aqueous solvent; (d) optionally, a wall-coating material suitedto inhibition of electroosmotic flow; and (e) optionally, an organicwater miscible solvent such as DMSO or acetonitrile, wherein theelectrophoresis separation medium exhibits functional stability for atleast seven days at 23° C. In one embodiment, the polymer or co-polymercomprises a mono-N-substituted acrylamide monomer or a di-N-substitutedacrylamide monomer. In another embodiment the polymer or co-polymercomprises one or more acrylamide monomers selected fromdimethylacrylamide, diethylacrylamide,N-acryloyl-aminoethoxyethanol-substituted acrylamide (NAEE) monomer andN-allyl glucose monomer (NAGL). In another embodiment the polymer orco-polymer comprises a polyvinylpyrrolidone. In another embodiment thepolymer or co-polymer comprises hydroxyethylcellulose. In anotherembodiment, the denaturant is selected from the group consisting ofproline, histidine, betaine, trehalose, acetonitrile, imidazole, DMSO,N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, 3-(1-pyridinio)-1-propanesulfonate, and2-N,N,N-Tri-n-butylammonium acetate. In another embodiment the polymershave a weight-average molar mass of at least 500,000 g/mol, e.g.,between 3.5M g/mol and 5M g/mol. In another embodiment the mediumcomprises polymers in an amount between about 1.5% (w/v) and 8.0% (w/v),e.g., about 5.5% (w/v). In another embodiment the polymer or co-polymeris a linear polymer. In another embodiment the medium comprises asparsely cross-linked polymer comprising 1×10⁻⁸ mol % to about 1×10⁻³mol % cross-linking moiety. In another embodiment the medium ispolymerized from a mixture containing less than about 0.1% (w/v) of across-linking moiety in the polymerization mixture. In anotherembodiment the polymer is a homo-polymer or co-polymer of one or moreN-substituted acrylamide monomers selected from dimethylacrylamide,diethylacrylamide, N-acryloyl-aminoethoxyethanol-substituted acrylamide(NAEE) monomer and N-allyl glucose (“NAG”) monomer. In anotherembodiment, the polymer comprises at least any of 80%, 85%, 90% 95%, 97%or 99% w/w dimethylacrylamide monomer. In another embodiment the polymerfurther comprises between about 1% and 20% w/w diethylacrylamidemonomers. In another embodiment the polymer further comprises betweenabout 1% and about 10% w/w N-acryloyl-aminoethoxyethanol-substitutedacrylamide (NAEE) monomer or N-allyl glucose monomer (e.g., about 3%w/w). In another embodiment the medium comprises between about 1% andabout 10% w/w diethylacrylamide monomers. In another embodiment thepolymer is a co-polymer comprising at least one acrylamide monomer otherthan dimethylacrylamide, diethylacrylamide,N-acryloyl-aminoethoxyethanol-substituted acrylamide (NAEE) monomer andN-allyl glucose monomer. In another embodiment the medium comprises apolymer blend. In another embodiment all the polymers in the blend arepolymers selected from dimethylacrylamide, diethylacrylamide,N-acryloyl-aminoethoxyethanol-substituted acrylamide (NAEE) monomer andN-allyl glucose (“NAG”) monomer. In another embodiment the mediumcomprises a plurality of denaturant compounds selected from the groupconsisting of proline, histidine, betaine, trehalose, acetonitrile,imidazole, DMSO, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone,3-(1-pyridinio)-1-propanesulfonate, and 2-N,N,N-Tri-n-butylammoniumacetate. In another embodiment the medium comprises the denaturantcompound in an amount between about 0.2 M to 5.5 M, e.g., about 2M. Inanother embodiment the medium further comprises SDS or other ionic ornon-ionic surfactants. In another embodiment the aqueous solventcomprises one or more pH-buffering salts. In another embodiment whereinthe buffering salts is selected from Tris, TAPS, CHES, EDTA; Tris TAPSEDTA, Tris acetate EDTA, Tris borate EDTA and Tris CHES EDTA. In anotherembodiment the medium has a pH between about 7.0 and 8.5. In anotherembodiment the medium further comprises acetonitrile, e.g., at 4%-7%(v/v). In another embodiment the medium further comprises DMSO, e.g., at0.3-5.0% (v/v). In another embodiment the medium comprises a capillarywall coating material. In another embodiment the wall-coating materialis selected from pHEA, MCP-1 and a first and a second copolymerizedmonomers, said first monomer selected from a group consisting ofacrylamide, methacrylamide, N-monosubstituted acrylamide,N-monosubstituted methacrylamide, N,N-disubstituted acrylamide, andN,N-disubstituted methacrylamide; and said second monomer selected fromthe group consisting of glycidyl group containing monomers, diol groupcontaining monomers and allyl group containing carbohydrate monomers. Inanother embodiment the medium exhibits functional stability forcapillary electrophoresis after storage at room temperature for at leastany one month, six months or one year. In another embodiment the medium,after storage at room temperature for at least any of one day, one week,one month or six months, has no more than 2% of the polymers exhibitingcarboxylic acid side chain moieties, e.g., resulting from hydrolysis. Inanother embodiment the medium is free, essentially free or substantiallyfree of biomolecules (e.g., nucleic acids, DNA, RNA or polypeptides). Inanother embodiment, the medium is free, essentially free orsubstantially free of urea, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, δ-caprolactam,N-methyl-caprolactam, guanidinium hydrochloride, dimethylformamide (DMF)and/or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).

For other embodiments, copolymers of various derivatives of acrylamideand methacrylamide monomers with various glycidyl group containingmonomers e.g., dimethylacrylamide and allyl glycidyl ether-epoxypoly(DMA)-, copolymers of various derivatives of acrylamide andmethacrylamide with various allyl group containing carbohydrates andvarious glycidyl group containing monomers, such as allyl β-D-pyranoside(typically β-D-glucopyranoside) or allyl β-D-furanoside allyl glycidylether-epoxy poly(AG-AA) and copolymers of four different monomersincluding various acryl and methacrylamide, various allyl groupcontaining carbohydrates, various glycidyl group containing monomer andvarious diol group containing monomer, such as acrylamide, allylβ-D-pyranoside (typically β-D-galactopyranoside or N-allylgluconamide)or allyl β-D-furanoside, allyl glycidyl ether and allyoxy-1,2propanediol-epoxy poly(AGal-AA-APD). Such polymers are described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,410,668, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

In another aspect, provided herein is a device comprising a solidsubstrate having microchannel filled with a separation medium asdisclosed herein. In one embodiment the substrate comprises a plastic,glass or fused silica. In another embodiment the substrate is comprisedin a microfluidic device. In another embodiment the substrate is anelectrophoresis capillary. In another embodiment the substrate comprisesa wall coated with a dynamically adsorbed coating or a covalentlyattached coating. In another embodiment the device further compriseselectrodes in electrical communication with the medium. In anotherembodiment the device comprises at least one electrophoresis capillary.In another embodiment the device comprises a plurality ofelectrophoresis capillaries.

In another aspect, provided herein is a device comprising a syringecomprising a barrel comprising an internal space and a plunger fitted inthe space, wherein the space contains a separation medium as disclosedherein. In one embodiment the plunger further comprises an anode orcathode that communicates with the internal space.

In another aspect, provided herein is a kit comprising a containercontaining a medium of as disclosed herein and a container containing anelectrophoresis buffer.

In another aspect, provided herein is a system comprising a samplepreparation module configured to perform DNA amplification or cyclesequencing; and a detection module comprising a solid substrate havingmicrochannel filled with a separation medium as disclosed herein.

In another aspect, provided herein is a method comprising performingelectrophoretic separation on a biomolecular analyte using a separationmedium as disclosed herein. In one embodiment the method of furthercomprises, before electrophoresis, storing the separation medium for atleast any of one day, one week, one month, six months or one year at atemperature between at least 15° C. and 40° C. In another embodiment themethod is performed in a point-of-care setting, a police booking stationor a combat zone. In another embodiment the method comprises storing themedium at a temperature of at least any of 20° C., 25° C. or 30° C. Inanother embodiment the analyte comprises a nucleic acid (e.g., DNA orRNA), a protein or a complex thereof. In another embodiment the analytecomprises DNA polynucleotides having an average size no more than about1300 nucleotides. In another embodiment the analyte comprises DNAamplified from one or more STR loci, e.g., a forensic locus. In anotherembodiment the analyte comprises a DNA ladder. In another embodiment themethod comprises injecting the medium into a microchannel of amicrofluidic device or an electrophoresis capillary. In anotherembodiment the medium is stored in a microchannel of a microfluidicdevice or an electrophoresis capillary.

Additional embodiments, features, and advantages of the disclosure willbe apparent from the following detailed description and through practiceof the disclosure. The compositions, media, methods, systems, and kitsof the present disclosure can be described as embodiments in any of thefollowing enumerated clauses. It will be understood that any of theembodiments described herein can be used in connection with any otherembodiments described herein to the extent that the embodiments do notcontradict one another.

-   -   1. An electrophoresis separation medium comprising:        -   (a) a sieving component comprising at least one polymer or            copolymer;        -   (b) optionally, one or more agents, and        -   (c) an aqueous solvent or aqueous buffer;        -   wherein the electrophoresis separation medium exhibits            functional stability for capillary electrophoresis after            storage at a temperature of at least about 23° C. for at            least 14 days.    -   2. An electrophoresis separation medium comprising:        -   (a) a sieving component comprising at least one polymer or            copolymer;        -   (b) optionally, one or more agents,        -   (c) an aqueous solvent or aqueous buffer;        -   wherein the electrophoresis separation medium is            substantially free of urea.    -   3. An electrophoresis separation medium comprising:        -   (a) a sieving component comprising at least one polymer or            copolymer;        -   (b) optionally, one or more agents,        -   (c) an aqueous solvent or aqueous buffer;        -   wherein the electrophoresis separation medium does not            include urea.    -   4. The medium of any one of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the at least        one polymer or copolymer is a non-crosslinked or sparsely        cross-linked polymer or copolymer.    -   5. The medium of any one of clauses 1 to 3, wherein at least one        polymer or copolymer is crosslinked.    -   6. The medium of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the        at least one polymer or copolymer is an uncharged water-soluble        silica-adsorbing polymer or copolymer, a non-crosslinked        acrylamide polymer or copolymer, a cellulose polymer or        copolymer, a poly(alkylene oxide) polymer or copolymer, a        polysaccharide, or a triblock copolymer.    -   7. The medium of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the        at least one polymer or copolymer is selected from the group        consisting of linear polyacrylamide, polyethylene oxide,        poly-N-N-dimethylacrylamide, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene        glycol end capped with fluorocarbon tails,        hydroxyethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose,        hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, poly-N-acryloylaminopropanol,        poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide-co-N,N-dimethylacrylamide),        poly(N-(acrylaminoethoxy)ethyl-β-D-glucopyranose), glucomannan,        dextran, agarose, or poly-N-isopropylacrylamide.    -   8. The medium of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the        medium includes one or more agents that modifies the physical        properties or the separation properties of the medium.    -   9. The medium of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the        medium includes one or more agents that is a denaturant, a        compound capable of adjusting refractive index of the medium, a        compound capable of slowing down the re-naturation kinetics of        single-stranded DNA, or a compound capable of enhancing        resolution of molecules by the medium.    -   10. The medium of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the        medium includes one or more agents that is a denaturant.    -   11. The medium of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the        medium includes one or more agents that is a compound capable of        adjusting refractive index of the medium.    -   12. The medium of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the        medium includes one or more agents that is a compound capable of        enhancing resolution of molecules by the medium.    -   13. The medium of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the        medium includes one or more agents selected from the group        consisting of proline, histidine, betaine, trehalose,        acetonitrile, imidazole, DMSO, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone,        3-(1-pyridinio)-1-propanesulfonate, 2-N,N,N-tri-n-butylammonium        acetate, 1,3-dimethylurea, 1,3-diethylurea, ethylurea,        methylurea, 1,1-dimethylurea, and 1,1-diethylurea.    -   14. The medium of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the        medium includes one or more agents that is a saccharide or its        derivatives, a sugar alcohol or polyol or its derivatives, a        sugars or a sugar isomer or its derivatives, a pentose sugar, a        hexose sugar, a starch, a carbohydrate a starch hydrolysate, a        hydrogenated starch hysdrolysate, glucose or its derivatives,        galactose or its derivatives, sucrose or its derivatives,        fructose or its derivatives, lactose or its derivatives,        erythrose or its derivatives, arabinose or its derivatives,        maltose or its derivatives, mannose or its derivatives, rhamnose        or its derivatives, xylose or its derivatives, trehalose or its        derivatives, sucralose or its derivatives, cellubiose or its        derivatives, xylitol or its derivatives, lactulose or its        derivatives, sorbitol or its derivatives, mannitol or its        derivatives, maltitol or its derivatives; lactitol or its        derivatives, erythritol or its derivatives, glycerol or its        derivatives, glycogen or its derivatives, low molecular weight        dextran or its derivatives, or a combination thereof.    -   15. The medium of clause 14, wherein the saccharide is a        monosaccharide, a disaccharide, a trisaccharide, an        oligosaccharide, or a polysaccharide.    -   16. The medium of clause 14, wherein the one or more agents is        fructose, galactose, glucose, glycogen, trehalose, sucrose,        sorbitol, xylitol, or a combination thereof.    -   17. The medium of clause 10, wherein the denaturant is SDS        (sodium dodecyl sulfate), an ionic surfactant, or a non-ionic        surfactant.    -   18. The medium of any of clauses 1 to 17, wherein the        electrophoresis separation medium is selected from Table 1, 2A,        2B or 2C.    -   19. The medium of any of clauses 1 to 18, wherein the        electrophoresis separation medium is selected from: 1.5-2.5% LPA        12.5% Xylitol 115 TES; 1.5-2.5% LPA 20% Xylitol 80 TES; 1.5-2.5%        LPA 20% Xylitol 80 TES; 1.5-2.5% LPA 5% Xylitol 150 TES;        1.5-2.5% LPA 20% Xylitol 150 TES; 1.5-2.5% LPA 5% Xylitol 150        TES; 1.5-2.5% LPA 20% Xylitol 150 TES; 1.5-2.5% LPA 5% Xylitol        80 TES; 1.5-2.5% LPA 5% Xylitol 80 TES; 1.5-2.5% LPA 12.5%        Sucrose 115 TES; 1.5-2.5% LPA 20% Sucrose 80 TES; 1.5-2.5% LPA        20% Sucrose 80 TES; 2.5% LPA 5% Sucrose 150 TES; 1.5-2.5% LPA        20% Sucrose 150 TES; 1.5-2.5% LPA 5% Sucrose 150 TES; 1.5-2.5%        LPA 20% Sucrose 150 TES; 1.5-2.5% LPA 5% Sucrose 80 TES;        1.5-2.5% LPA 5% Sucrose 80 TES; 1.5-2.5% LPA 12.5 Galactose 115        TES; 1.5-2.5% LPA 20% Galactose 150 TES; 1.5-2.5% LPA 5%        Galactose 150 TES; 1.5-2.5% LPA 5% Galactose 150 TES; 1.5-2.5%        LPA 20% Galactose 150 TES; 1.5-2.5% LPA 20% Galactose 80 TES;        1.5-2.5% LPA 20% Galactose 80 TES; 1.5-2.5% LPA 5% Galactose 80        TES and 1.5-2.5% LPA 5% Galactose 80 TES.    -   20. The medium of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the        at least one polymer or copolymer is in an amount between about        1.0 wt % to about 8.0 wt % of the medium.    -   21. The medium of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the        medium includes one or more agents that is present in an amount        between about 10 wt % and 50 wt % of the medium.    -   22. The medium of any one of the preceding clauses, further        comprising SDS or other ionic or non-ionic surfactants.    -   23. The medium of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the        aqueous solvent comprises one or more pH-buffering salts.    -   24. The medium of clause 23, wherein the one or more        pH-buffering salts is selected from the group consisting of Tris        (Tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane), TAPS        (3-{[1,3-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl) propan-2-yl] amino}        propane-1-sulfonic acid), TES        (2-{[1,3-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl) propan-2-yl]        amino}ethanesulfonic acid), CHES (2-(Cyclohexyl amino)        ethanesulfonic acid), EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid),        TAPS/EDTA, TES/EDTA, Tris/TAPS/EDTA, Tris/TES/EDTA,        Tris/acetate/EDTA, Tris/borate/EDTA, and Tris/CHES/EDTA.    -   25. The medium of any one of the preceding clauses, having a pH        between about 6.0 and 9.0.    -   26. The medium of any one of the preceding clauses, comprising        one or more water-miscible organic solvents.    -   27. The medium of clause 26, wherein the water-miscible organic        solvent is acetonitrile, DMSO, or 2-pyrrolidinone.    -   28. The medium of any one of the preceding clauses, comprising a        surface interaction component.    -   29. The medium of clause 28, wherein the surface interaction        component is selected from pHEA, MCP-1 and a first and a second        copolymerized monomers, the first monomer selected from a group        consisting of acrylamide, methacrylamide, N-monosubstituted        acrylamide, N-monosubstituted methacrylamide, N,N-disubstituted        acrylamide, and N,N-disubstituted methacrylamide; and the second        monomer selected from the group consisting of glycidyl group        containing monomers, diol group containing monomers, and allyl        group containing carbohydrate monomers.    -   30. The medium of any one of clauses 1-29, wherein the        electrophoresis separation medium exhibits functional stability        for capillary electrophoresis after storage at about 23° C. for:        at least one month, at least two months, at least six months, at        least one year, at least eighteen months, at least two years,        greater than two years.    -   31. The medium of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the        electrophoresis separation medium exhibits functional stability        for capillary electrophoresis after storage at about 23° C. for        at least 30 days.    -   32. The medium of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the        electrophoresis separation medium exhibits functional stability        for capillary electrophoresis after storage at between about        23° C. and about 40° C. for at least 14 days.    -   33. The medium of clause 1 or 2, wherein the electrophoresis        separation medium includes less than about 5 wt % of urea.    -   34. A sieving polymer composition comprising:        -   (a) a sieving component comprising at least one polymer or            copolymer;        -   (b) optionally, one or more agents, and        -   (c) an aqueous solvent or aqueous buffer;        -   wherein the sieving polymer composition exhibits functional            stability for capillary electrophoresis after storage at a            temperature of at least 23° C. for at least two weeks.    -   35. A sieving polymer composition comprising:        -   (a) a sieving component comprising at least one polymer or            copolymer;        -   (b) optionally, one or more agents, and        -   (c) an aqueous solvent or aqueous buffer;        -   wherein the sieving polymer composition is substantially            free of urea.    -   36. A sieving polymer composition comprising:        -   (a) a sieving component comprising at least one polymer or            copolymer;        -   (b) optionally, one or more agents, and        -   (c) an aqueous solvent or aqueous buffer;        -   wherein the sieving polymer composition does not include            urea.    -   37. The composition of any one of clauses 34 to 36, wherein the        at least one polymer or copolymer is a non-crosslinked or        sparsely cross-linked polymer or copolymer.    -   38. The composition of any one of clauses 34 to 36, wherein at        least one polymer or copolymer is crosslinked.    -   39. The composition of any one of clauses 34 to 38, wherein the        at least one polymer or copolymer is an uncharged water-soluble        silica-adsorbing polymer or copolymer, a non-crosslinked        acrylamide polymer or copolymer, a cellulose polymer or        copolymer, a poly(alkylene oxide) polymer or copolymer, a        polysaccharide, or a triblock copolymer.    -   40. The composition of any one of clauses 34 to 39, wherein the        at least one polymer or copolymer is selected from the group        consisting of linear polyacrylamide, polyethylene oxide,        poly-N-N-dimethylacrylamide, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene        glycol end capped with fluorocarbon tails,        hydroxyethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose,        hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, poly-N-acryloylaminopropanol,        poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide-co-N,N-dimethylacrylamide),        poly(N-(acrylaminoethoxy)ethyl-β-D-glucopyranose), glucomannan,        dextran, agarose, or poly-N-isopropylacrylamide.    -   41. The composition of any one of clauses 34 to 40, wherein the        composition includes one or more agents that modifies the        physical or sieving properties of the composition.    -   42. The composition of any one of clauses 34 to 41, wherein the        composition includes one or more agents that is a denaturant, a        compound capable of adjusting refractive index, or a compound        capable of enhancing resolution.    -   43. The composition of any one of clauses 34 to 42, wherein the        composition includes one or more agents that is a denaturant.    -   44. The composition of any one of clauses 34 to 43, wherein the        composition includes one or more agents that is a compound        capable of adjusting refractive index.    -   45. The composition of any one of clauses 34 to 44, wherein the        composition includes one or more agents that is a compound        capable of enhancing resolution.    -   46. The composition of any one of clauses 34 to 45, wherein the        one or more agents is selected from the group consisting of        proline, histidine, betaine, trehalose, acetonitrile, imidazole,        DMSO, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone,        3-(1-pyridinio)-1-propanesulfonate, 2-N,N,N-tri-n-butylammonium        acetate, 1,3-dimethylurea, 1,3-diethylurea, ethylurea,        methylurea, 1,1-dimethylurea, and 1,1-diethylurea.    -   47. The composition of any one of clauses 34 to 46, wherein the        composition includes one or more agents that is a saccharide or        its derivatives, a sugar alcohol or polyol or its derivatives, a        sugars or a sugar isomer or its derivatives, a pentose sugar, a        hexose sugar, a starch, a carbohydrate a starch hydrolysate, a        hydrogenated starch hysdrolysate, glucose or its derivatives,        galactose or its derivatives, sucrose or its derivatives,        fructose or its derivatives, lactose or its derivatives,        erythrose or its derivatives, arabinose or its derivatives,        maltose or its derivatives, mannose or its derivatives, rhamnose        or its derivatives, xylose or its derivatives, trehalose or its        derivatives, sucralose or its derivatives, cellubiose or its        derivatives, xylitol or its derivatives, lactulose or its        derivatives, sorbitol or its derivatives, mannitol or its        derivatives, maltitol or its derivatives, lactitol or its        derivatives, erythritol or its derivatives, glycerol or its        derivatives, glycogen or its derivatives, low molecular weight        dextran or its derivatives, or a combination thereof.    -   48. The composition of clause 47, wherein the saccharide is a        monosaccharide, a disaccharide, a trisaccharide, an        oligosaccharide, or a polysaccharide.    -   49. The composition of clause 47, wherein the composition        includes one or more agents that is fructose, galactose,        glucose, glycogen, trehalose, sucrose, sorbitol, xylitol, or a        combination thereof.    -   50. The composition of any one of clauses 34 to 49, wherein the        at least one polymer or copolymer is in an amount between about        1.0 wt % to about 8.0 wt % of the medium.    -   51. The composition of any one of clauses 34 to 50, wherein the        composition includes one or more agents in an amount between        about 10 wt % and 50 wt % of the medium.    -   52. The composition of any one of clauses 34 to 51, further        comprising SDS or other ionic or non-ionic surfactants.    -   53. The composition of any one of clauses 34 to 52, wherein the        aqueous solvent comprises one or more pH-buffering salts.    -   54. The composition of clause 53, wherein the one or more        pH-buffering salts is selected from the group consisting of Tris        (Tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane), TAPS        (3-{[1,3-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl) propan-2-yl] amino}        propane-1-sulfonic acid), TES        (2-{[1,3-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl) propan-2-yl]        amino}ethanesulfonic acid), CHES (2-(Cyclohexyl amino)        ethanesulfonic acid), EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid),        TAPS/EDTA, TES/EDTA, Tris/TAPS/EDTA, Tris/TES/EDTA,        Tris/acetate/EDTA, Tris/borate/EDTA, and Tris/CHES/EDTA.    -   55. The composition of any one of clauses 34 to 54, having a pH        between about 6.0 and 9.0.    -   56. The composition of any one of clauses 34 to 55, comprising        one or more water-miscible organic solvents.    -   57. The composition of clause 56, wherein the water-miscible        organic solvent is acetonitrile, DMSO, or 2-pyrrolidinone.    -   58. The composition of any one of clauses 34 to 57, comprising a        surface interaction component.    -   59. The composition of clause 58, wherein the surface        interaction component is selected from pHEA, MCP-1 and a first        and a second copolymerized monomers, the first monomer selected        from a group consisting of acrylamide, methacrylamide,        N-monosubstituted acrylamide, N-monosubstituted methacrylamide,        N,N-disubstituted acrylamide, and N,N-disubstituted        methacrylamide; and the second monomer selected from the group        consisting of glycidyl group containing monomers, diol group        containing monomers, and allyl group containing carbohydrate        monomers.    -   60. The composition of any one of clauses 34-59, wherein the        composition exhibits functional stability for molecular sieving        after storage at about 23° C. for: at least one month, at least        two months, at least six months, at least one year, at least        eighteen months, at least two years, greater than two years.    -   61. The composition of any one of clauses 34 to 59, wherein the        composition exhibits functional stability for capillary        electrophoresis after storage at between about 23° C. and about        40° C. for at least 14 days.    -   62. The composition of clause 34 or 35, wherein the composition        includes less than about 5 wt % of urea.    -   63. A capillary electrophoresis element comprising,        -   (a) an uncoated capillary; and        -   (b) a composition for separating analytes located within the            uncoated capillary, the composition comprising an            electrophoresis separation medium or a sieving polymer            composition according to any one of clauses 1 to 62.    -   64. The capillary element of clause 63, wherein the capillary        comprises silica, fused silica, quartz, silicate-based glass,        phosphate glass, alumina-containing glass.    -   65. The capillary element of clause 63, wherein the capillary is        a plastic channel capillary.    -   66. A method for separating analytes, comprising: separating the        analytes using an electrophoresis separation medium or a sieving        polymer composition according to any one of clauses 1 to 62.    -   67. The method for separating analytes of clause 66, wherein        said analytes are selected from DNA, peptides, proteins, nucleic        acids, glycoproteins and glycans.    -   68. The method for separating analytes of clause 66, wherein        said DNA, peptides, proteins, glycoproteins or glycans are        separated based on size, or are identified based on size.    -   69. The method for separating analytes according to any one of        clauses 66-68, wherein said peptides, proteins, glycoproteins or        glycans are separated under denaturing conditions without urea,    -   70. The method for separating analytes according to any one of        clauses 66-68, wherein said peptides, proteins, glycoproteins or        glycans are separated under native conditions without urea,    -   71. The method for separating analytes according to any one of        clauses 66-68, wherein said DNA, peptides, proteins,        glycoproteins or glycans are identified using peaks on an        electropherogram.    -   72. The method for separating analytes of clause 71, wherein        said identification may be manual, or use suitable software for        detection of peaks.    -   73. The method for separating analytes according to any one of        clauses 66-71, which is carried out in parallel with a plurality        of uncoated capillaries.    -   74. A method for separating analytes comprising: separating the        analytes by capillary electrophoresis with using at least one        capillary electrophoresis element of Clause 63.    -   75. A method for separating analytes according to any of clauses        66-72, further comprising applying an electric current to the        separation medium or the sieving polymer composition, and        migrating the analytes through the separatiom medium or the        sieving polymer composition.    -   76. A method for separating analytes according to clause 66,        further including separating the analytes based on size,        electrical charge, tertiary structure or ligand binding.    -   77. A method for separating analytes according to clause 66,        further including identifying the analyte based on rate of        migration or position in the separation medium or in the sieving        polymer composition.    -   78. A method for separating analytes according to any of clauses        66-77, wherein the analyte is a nucleic acid, a protein, a        peptide, a glycoprotein, a glycan, a monosaccharide or a        polysaccharide.    -   79. A method for separating analytes according to any of clauses        66-77, wherein the analyte is a nucleic acid that is an        amplification product of an oligonucleotide, a polynucleotide, a        single-stranded DNA, a double-stranded DNA, an RNA, or a cDNA,        and the method further includes generating the amplification        product via nucleic acid amplification prior to the separating.    -   80. A method for separating analytes according to any of clauses        66-79, wherein the analyte is a nucleic acid that includes a        short tandem repeat (STR).    -   81. An electrophoresis separation medium comprising:        -   (a) a non-crosslinked or sparsely cross-linked polymer or            copolymer;        -   (b) one or more denaturant compounds, in an amount            sufficient to inhibit re-naturation of single stranded            polynucleotides;        -   (c) an aqueous solvent;        -   (d) optionally, a wall-coating material suited to inhibition            of electroosmotic flow; and        -   (e) optionally, an organic water miscible solvent such as            DMSO or acetonitrile,        -   wherein the electrophoresis separation medium exhibits            functional stability for at least seven days at 23° C.    -   82. The medium of clause 81, wherein the polymer or co-polymer        comprises a mono-N-substituted acrylamide monomer or a        di-N-substituted acrylamide monomer.    -   83. The medium of clause 81, wherein the polymer or co-polymer        comprises one or more acrylamide monomers selected from        dimethylacrylamide, diethylacrylamide,        N-acryloyl-aminoethoxyethanol-substituted acrylamide (NAEE)        monomer and N-allyl glucose monomer (NAGL).    -   84. The medium of clause 81, wherein the polymer or co-polymer        comprises a polyvinylpyrrolidone.    -   85. The medium of clause 81, wherein the polymer or co-polymer        comprises hydroxyethylcellulose.    -   86. The medium of clause 81, wherein the denaturant is selected        from the group consisting of proline, histidine, betaine,        trehalose, acetonitrile, imidazole, DMSO,        N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, 3-(1-pyridinio)-1-propanesulfonate,        and 2-N,N,N-Tri-n-butylammonium acetate.    -   87. The medium of clause 81, wherein the polymers have a        weight-average molar mass of at least 500,000 g/mol, e.g.,        between 3.5M g/mol and 5M g/mol.    -   88. The medium of clause 81, comprising polymers in an amount        between about 1.5% (w/v) and 8.0% (w/v), e.g., about 5.5% (w/v).    -   89. The medium of clause 81, wherein the polymer or co-polymer        is a linear polymer.    -   90. The medium of clause 81, which comprises a sparsely        cross-linked polymer comprising 1×1 o-s mol % to about 1×10−3        mol % cross-linking moiety.    -   91. The medium of clause 81, polymerized from a mixture        containing less than about    -   0.1% (w/v) of a cross-linking moiety in the polymerization        mixture.    -   92. The medium of clause 81, wherein the polymer is a        homo-polymer or co-polymer of one or more N-substituted        acrylamide monomers selected from dimethylacrylamide,        diethylacrylamide, N-acryloyl-aminoethoxyethanol-substituted        acrylamide (NAEE) monomer and N-allyl glucose (“NAG”) monomer.    -   93. The medium of clause 92, wherein the polymer comprises at        least any of 80%, 85%, 90% 95%, 97% or 99% w/w        dimethylacrylamide monomer.    -   94. The medium of clause 93, wherein the polymer further        comprises between about 1% and 20% w/w diethylacrylamide        monomers.    -   95. The medium of clause 93, wherein the polymer further        comprises between about 1% and about 10% w/w        N-acryloyl-aminoethoxyethanol-substituted acrylamide (NAEE)        monomer or N-allyl glucose monomer (e.g., about 3% w/w).    -   96. The medium of clause 93, comprising between about 1% and        about 10% w/w diethylacrylamide monomers.    -   97. The medium of clause 81, wherein the polymer is a co-polymer        comprising at least one acrylamide monomer other than        dimethylacrylamide, diethylacrylamide,        N-acryloyl-aminoethoxyethanol-substituted acrylamide (NAEE)        monomer and N-allyl glucose monomer.    -   98. The medium of clause 81, comprising a polymer blend.    -   99. The medium of clause 98, wherein all the polymers in the        blend are polymers selected from dimethylacrylamide,        diethylacrylamide, N-acryloyl-aminoethoxyethanol substituted        acrylamide (NAEE) monomer and N-allyl glucose (“NAG”) monomer.    -   100. The medium of clause 81, comprising a plurality of        denaturant compounds selected from the group consisting of        praline, histidine, betaine, trehalose, acetonitrile, imidazole,        DMSO, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone,        3-(1-pyridinio)-1-propanesulfonate, and        2-N,N,N-Tri-n-butylammonium acetate.    -   101. The medium of clause 81, comprising the denaturant compound        in an amount between about 0.2 M to 5.5 M, e.g., about 2M.    -   102. The medium of clause 81, further comprising SDS or other        ionic or non-ionic surfactants.    -   103. The medium of clause 81, wherein the aqueous solvent        comprises one or more pH-buffering salts.    -   104. The medium of clause 103, wherein the buffering salts is        selected from Tris (Tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane), TAPS        (3-{[1,3-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl) propan-2-yl] amino}        propane-1-sulfonic acid), TES        (2-{[1,3-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl) propan-2-yl]        amino}ethanesulfonic acid), CHES (2-(Cyclohexyl amino)        ethanesulfonic acid), EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid),        TAPS/EDTA, TES/EDTA, Tris/TAPS/EDTA, Tris/TES/EDTA,        Tris/acetate/EDTA, Tris/borate/EDTA, and Tris/CHES/EDTA.    -   105. The medium of clause 81, having a pH between about 6.0 and        9.0.    -   106. The medium of clause 81, further comprising acetonitrile,        e.g., at 4%-7% (v/v).    -   107. The medium of clause 81, further comprising DMSO, e.g., at        0.3-5.0% (v/v).    -   108. The medium of clause 81, comprising a capillary        wall-coating material.    -   109. The medium of clause 108, wherein the wall-coating material        is selected from pHEA, MCP-1 and a first and a second        copolymerized monomers, said first monomer selected from a group        consisting of acrylamide, methacrylamide, N-monosubstituted        acrylamide, N-monosubstituted methacrylamide, N, N-disubstituted        acrylamide, and N,N-disubstituted methacrylamide; and said        second monomer selected from the group consisting of glycidyl        group containing monomers, dial group containing monomers and        allyl group containing carbohydrate monomers.    -   110. The medium of clause 81, which exhibits functional        stability for capillary electrophoresis after storage at about        room temperature for: at least one month, at least two months,        at least six months, at least one year, at least eighteen        months, at least two years, greater than two years.    -   111. The medium of clause 81, which, after storage at room        temperature for at least any of one day, one week, one month or        six months, has no more than 2% of the polymers exhibiting        carboxylic acid side chain moieties, e.g., resulting from        hydrolysis.    -   112. The medium of clause 81, which is free, essentially free or        substantially free of biomolecules (e.g., nucleic acids, DNA,        RNA or polypeptides).    -   113. The medium of clause 81, free, essentially free or        substantially free of urea, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone,        o-caprolactam, N-methyl-caprolactam, guanidinium hydrochloride,        dimethylformamide (DMF), and/or dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO).    -   114. A device comprising a solid substrate having microchannel        filled with a medium of clause 81.    -   115. The device of clause 114 wherein the substrate is an        electrophoresis capillary.    -   116. The device of clause 114 wherein the substrate comprises a        wall coated with a dynamically adsorbed coating or a covalently        attached coating.    -   117. The device of clause 114 further comprising electrodes in        electrical communication with the medium.    -   118. A device comprising a syringe comprising a barrel        comprising an internal space and a plunger fitted in the space,        wherein the space contains a medium of clause 65.    -   119. The device of clause 118 wherein the plunger further        comprises an anode or cathode that communicates with the        internal space.    -   120. A kit comprising: a container containing a medium of any of        clauses 1-33 or a composition of any of clause 34-62, and a        container containing an electrophoresis buffer.    -   121. The kit of clause 120 further comprising reagents for        protein and/or glycan analysis.    -   122. The kit of clause 120 or 121 further comprising a protein        labeling dye, a glycan cleaving enzyme, buffers, and an        instruction manual for protein labeling and purification, for        glycan labeling and purification.    -   123. The kit of clauses 120 to 122, wherein the electrophoretic        medium in the kit can be stored at room temperature and exhibits        functional stability for capillary electrophoresis for: at least        one month, at least two months, at least six months, at least        one year, at least eighteen months, at least two years, greater        than two years.    -   124. A system comprising a sample preparation module configured        to perform DNA amplification or cycle sequencing; and a        detection module comprising a solid substrate having        microchannel filled with a medium of clause 81.    -   125. A system comprising a sample preparation module configured        to perform protein separation and analysis, wherein the module        includes a medium of any of clauses 1-33 or a composition of any        of clause 34-62.    -   126. A system comprising a sample preparation module configured        to perform glycan separation and analysis, wherein the module        includes a medium of any of clauses 1-33 or a composition of any        of clause 34-62.    -   127. A method comprising performing electrophoretic separation        on a biomolecular analyte using a separation medium of clause        81.    -   128. The method of clause 127 further comprising, before        electrophoresis, storing the separation medium for at least any        of one day, one week, one month, six months, one year, eighteen        months, two year at a temperature between at least 15° C. and        40° C.    -   129. The method of clause 127 performed in a point-of-care        setting, a police booking station or a combat zone.    -   130. The method of clause 127 comprising storing the medium at a        temperature of at least any of 20° C., 25° C. or 30° C.    -   131. The method of clause 127 wherein the analyte comprises a        nucleic acid (e.g., DNA or RNA), a protein or a complex thereof.    -   132. The method of clause 127 wherein the analyte comprises DNA        polynucleotides having an average size no more than about 1300        nucleotides.    -   133. The method of clause 127 wherein the analyte comprises DNA        amplified from one or more STR loci, e.g., a forensic locus.    -   134. The method of clause 127 wherein the analyte comprises a        DNA ladder.    -   135. The method of clause 127 comprising injecting the medium        into a microchannel of a microfluidic device or an        electrophoresis capillary.    -   136. The method of clause 127 wherein the medium is stored in a        microchannel of a microfluidic device or an electrophoresis        capillary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the disclosure are set forth with particularity inthe appended claims. A better understanding of the features andadvantages of the present disclosure will be obtained by reference tothe following detailed description that sets forth illustrativeembodiments, in which the principles of the disclosure are utilized, andthe accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 shows exemplary N,N-substituted acrylamide monomers useful inpolymers or copolymers of this disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows polyvinylpyrrolidone and hydroxyethylcellulose.

FIG. 3 shows exemplary compounds useful for maintaining a denaturedstate of nucleic acids during electrophoresis.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary electrophoresis assembly.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary system for sample analysis by electrophoresis.

FIGS. 6 a and 6 b : used 2% LPA with 3M Urea. FIG. 6 a shows the spatialcalibration for with this polymer with urea, indicating that there wereuniform signals throughout all the capillaries. FIG. 6 belectropherogram shows that, due to the presence of urea, the proteinfragments did not resolve distinctly, indicating that urea destroysprotein resolution. Electrophoresis run conditions were 18 kV, 1 seconddata delay and 4000 second run time.

FIGS. 6 c and 6 d : used 2% LPA only (without urea). FIG. 6 c shows thespatial calibration for with the 2% LPA only polymer indicating that thesignals were not uniform throughout all the capillaries, due to theabsence of urea. FIG. 6 d electropherogram shows that, due to theabsence of urea, sharp peaks of all 7 proteins were well resolved. Therun conditions were 18 kV, 1 second data delay and 4000 second run time.

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b : used 2% LPA with 20% galactose and 150 mM TES. FIG.7 a shows spatial calibration of the polymer with sugar showing uniformsignals throughout all the capillaries. FIG. 7 b electropherogram showsthat the protein standards were well resolved. This formulation showedexcellent peak separation, uniform peak shapes and baseline resolution.Electrophoresis was run at 25° C., 18 kV, 1 second data delay and 3000second run time.

FIGS. 8 a and 8 b : used 2.5% LPA with 20% Xylitol and 150 mM TES. FIG.8 a shows the spatial calibration of the polymer with sugar showinguniform signals throughout all the capillaries. FIG. 8 belectropherogram shows that the protein standards were well resolved.This formulation showed excellent peak separation, uniform peak shapesand baseline resolution. Electrophoresis was run at 40° C., 8 kV, 1second data delay and 4000 second run time.

FIGS. 9 a and 9 b : used 2% LPA with 30% Sucrose and 150 mM TES. FIG. 9a shows the spatial calibration of the polymer with sugar showinguniform signals throughout all the capillaries. FIG. 9 belectropherogram shows that 2% LPA with 30% Sucrose was able to resolveall proteins well. Electrophoresis was run was at 40° C., 18 kV, 250second data delay and 3000 second run time.

FIG. 10 : Separation of purified monoclonal IgG by a polymer withgalactose. Monoclonal IgG was expressed by mammalian CHO cell line. IgGwas purified by chromatography and labeled with fluorogenic FQ dye atthe primary amine groups. Non-reduced proteins were separated underdenaturing conditions with SDS by capillary electrophoresis by 3500XLinstrument. The purified protein has >90% purity of glycosylated intactIgG (large peak) calculated by dividing its area to the total area ofall peaks in the electropherogram. HH: protein with 2 heavy chains(around 175.0 min). HHL: protein with 2 heavy chains (˜187.5 min) and alight chain (around min), aggregate of IgG (˜240.0 min).

FIG. 11 shows the resolution obtained by capillary electrophoresis usinga urea-free formulation of the disclosure prepared with 3.75 wt %polydimethylacrylamide and 1.75M 1,3-dimethylurea. Resolution isdisplayed for Applied Biosystems GeneScan™ 1200 LIZ™ dye Size Standarddye-labeled, single-stranded DNA fragments. Testing was carried outusing an Applied Biosystems 3500 Genetic Analyzer using standardconditions.

FIG. 12A-C shows reproducibility of resolution plots from capillaryelectrophoresis after aging a urea-free formulation of the disclosureprepared with 3.75% polydimethylacrylamide and 1.75M 1,3-dimethylurea.Resolution is displayed for the initial resolution before aging (FIG.12A), after aging at 37° C. for 27 days (FIG. 12B), and after aging at37° C. for 56 days (FIG. 12C). Applied Biosystems GeneScan™ 1200 LIZ™dye Size Standard dye-labeled, single-stranded DNA fragments were usedfor the testing. Testing was carried out using an Applied Biosystems3500 Genetic Analyzer using standard conditions.

FIG. 13 shows the resolution obtained by capillary electrophoresis of aportion of Applied Biosystems BigDye® Terminator v3.1 sequencingstandard using a formulation of the disclosure prepared with 2.0%polyacrylamide and 1.75M 1,3-dimethylurea. Testing was carried out usingan Applied Biosystems 3500 Genetic Analyzer under standard conditions.

FIG. 14 shows the resolution obtained during capillary electrophoresisusing a formulation of the disclosure prepared with 3.75 wt %polydimethylacrylamide and 1.75M 1,1-dimethylurea. Resolution isdisplayed for Applied Biosystems GeneScan™ 1200 LIZ™ dye Size Standarddye-labeled, single-stranded DNA fragments. Testing was carried outusing an Applied Biosystems 3500 Genetic Analyzer under standardconditions.

FIG. 15 shows the resolution obtained during capillary electrophoresisusing a formulation prepared with 4.25 wt % polydimethylacrylamide and15 wt % ethylurea. Resolution is displayed for Applied BiosystemsGeneScan™ 1200 LIZ™ dye Size Standard dye-labeled, single-stranded DNAfragments. Testing was carried out using an Applied Biosystems 3500Genetic Analyzer under standard conditions.

FIGS. 16A and 16B show the analysis of dsDNA by capillaryelectrophoresis using a standard urea-containing formulation (FIG. 16A),and a urea-free formulation of the disclosure (FIG. 16B). Expanded viewfrom 39 bp to 200 bp of TAMRA labeled GS500 Size Standard.

FIGS. 17A and 17B show the analysis of dsDNA by capillaryelectrophoresis using a standard urea-containing formulation (FIG. 17A),and a urea-free formulation of the disclosure (FIG. 17B). Expanded viewfrom 300 bp to 500 bp of TAMRA labeled GS500 Size Standard. In (FIG.17A) using the urea containing polymer (POP7) the 340/350 bp fragmentsare not resolved and peaks show peak broadening as result of thepresence of urea. In (FIG. 17B) using the urea-free formulation, the340/350 bp fragments are resolved.

FIGS. 18A-18D1 show 4 STR markers as indicated in panels 18A, 18A-1,18B, 18B-1, 18C, and 18C-1, and the size standard Liz1200 (18D and18D-1) containing fragments ranging in size from 20 to 1,200 bases. Thealleles circled in 18A, 18A-1, 18B, 18B-1, 18C, and 18C-1 are separatedby 1 bp. DNA samples were analyzed in the polymer at Time=0 (A), orafter being stored at 37° C. for 8 weeks (B).

FIG. 19 shows the labeling and separation by capillary electrophoresisof all 15 GeneRuler dsDNA fragments ranging in size from 75 to 20,000 bpusing a urea-free formulation of the disclosure. All fragments wereefficiently labeled with the PicoGreen reagent and separated well in thesucrose containing polymer (peaks labeled “b” in the figure). The peakslabeled “a” in the figure are single-stranded DNA fragments labeled withthe dye LIZ; these single-stranded DNA fragments do not interact withPicoGreen.

FIG. 20A and FIG. 20B show the analysis of the THO1 STR marker bycapillary electrophoresis using urea-free formulations of the disclosure(FIG. 20A: 2.8% LPA containing polymer with or without sucrose; and FIG.20B: 2.2% LPA containing polymer with or without sucrose). The circledpeak(s) indicate the alleles 9.1/10 of the THO1 STR marker that differin size by 1 base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure provides, among other things, an electrophoresisseparation medium. The medium is particularly useful for separation ofsingle-stranded DNA, and exhibits a shelf life, particularly at roomtemperature, that is significantly longer than media containing urea asa denaturant. Also provided are devices, kits, systems and methods usingthe disclosed electrophoresis separation medium.

In some embodiments, this disclosure provides, among other things, apolymer sieving composition. The composition is useful for molecularsieving. In some embodiments, the composition is useful for separationof molecules, including but not limited to biomolecules such as nucleicacids, proteins, glycoproteins and glycans. The composition isoptionally useful for size-based separation of biomolecules, eitherunder denaturing conditions or under non-denaturing conditions. Thecomposition can exhibit a shelf life, particularly at room temperature,that is significantly longer than conventional sieving compositionscontaining urea as a denaturant. Also provided are devices, kits,systems and methods using the disclosed sieving compositions.

I. Electrophoresis Separation Medium

In one aspect, this disclosure provides an electrophoresis separationmedium comprising: (a) a non-crosslinked or sparsely cross-linkedpolymer or copolymer; (b) one or more denaturant compounds, in an amountsufficient to inhibit re-naturation of single stranded polynucleotides;(c) an aqueous solvent; (d) optionally, a wall-coating material suitedto inhibition of electroosmotic flow; and (e) optionally, an organicwater miscible solvent such as DMSO or acetonitrile, wherein theelectrophoresis separation medium exhibits functional stability for atleast seven days at 23° C.

In another aspect, and in some embodiments, this disclosure provides asieving polymer composition, such as an electrophoresis separationmedium comprising: (a) a sieving component comprising at least onepolymer or copolymer; (b) one or more of a denaturant, a renaturationinhibitor, or a resolution enhancer, (c) an aqueous solvent or aqueousbuffer; (d) optionally, a surface interaction component having adifferent polymer chemical composition from the sieving component; and(e) optionally, a water-miscible organic solvent; wherein theelectrophoresis separation medium is substantially free of urea.

In another aspect, this disclosure provides an electrophoresisseparation medium comprising: (a) a sieving component comprising atleast one polymer or copolymer; (b) one or more of a denaturant, arenaturation inhibitor, or a resolution enhancer, (c) an aqueous solventor aqueous buffer; (d) optionally, a surface interaction componenthaving a different polymer chemical composition from the sievingcomponent; and (e) optionally, a water-miscible organic solvent; whereinthe electrophoresis separation medium does not contain urea.

A. Polymers

As used herein “polymer” refers to homopolymers (formed bypolymerization of a single monomer species) and co-polymers (formed bypolymerization of a plurality of different monomer species), includinglinear polymers and cross-linked polymers. In some embodiments, thepolymer or copolymer can be a non-crosslinked or sparsely cross-linkedpolymer or copolymer. In some embodiments, the polymer or copolymer canbe crosslinked. In some embodiments, the polymer or copolymer can be alinear polymer or copolymer.

Any polymer exhibiting functional stability for electrophoresis can beused in the compositions and methods described herein. These include,without limitation, various N-substituted polyacrylamides,polyvinylpyrrolidones and hydroxyethyl cellulose. In some embodiments,the polymer or copolymer can be an uncharged water-solublesilica-adsorbing polymer or copolymer, a non-crosslinked acrylamidepolymer or copolymer, a cellulose polymer or copolymer, a poly(alkyleneoxide) polymer or copolymer, a polysaccharide, or a triblock copolymer.

In some embodiments, uncharged water-soluble silica-adsorbing polymersprovide for suppressing electroendosmotic flow. In one embodiment,polymers are selected from the group consisting of polyvinylactams, suchas polyvinylpyrrolidone; N,N-disubstituted polyacrylamides; andN-substituted polyacrylamides. In another embodiment polymers arepoly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide). Such polymers are described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,552,028, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

Polyvinylpyrrolidone can be included in the polymer mix in a range250,000 g/mol to 1.5M g/mol, or a higher average molecular weight thatcan be obtained. Generally, higher average molecular weights are moreuseful for DNA sieving.

Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) also can be used as the polymer. High-MWHECs are commercially available, pharmaceutical grade (i.e., in highpurity, as is preferred for this use) from Hercules, Inc. (Warrington,PA) or Aqualon Company, Wilmington, DE. Useful average molecular weightscan be between 100,000 g/mol and 2 million g/mol.

Certain “N-substituted” acrylamide polymers (with chemical substituentspendant to the side-chain nitrogen group; such aspoly-N,N-dimethylacrylamide) are relatively stable to spontaneoushydrolysis, as compared with unsubstituted acrylamide polymers, even athigher pH values such as pH 8, and can be used in the CE applicationsdiscussed herein. The polymers of the media provided herein arepreferably polymers of any N- or N,N-substituted acrylamide monomersthat produce a chemically stable polymer. This includes, withoutlimitation, homopolymers or co-polymers of alkyl, allyl or acryloylpolymerizable monomers. N-alkyl acrylamide substituted monomers ofinterest include, without limitation, dimethylacrylamide (“DMA”) anddiethylacrylamide (“DEA”). Acryloyl acrylamide substituted monomersinclude, without limitation, N-acryloyl-aminoethoxyethanol acrylamide(“NAEE”). Allyl-substituted acrylamide monomers include, withoutlimitation, N-allyl glucose (“NAGL”) monomers. The NAEE and NAGLmonomers are more hydrophilic than DMA, DEA, or other alkyl acrylamides,while still being very stable to hydrolysis, and are useful to increasethe water-solubility and increase the DNA sieving capabilities ofco-polymers. In some embodiments, the useful percentages of DEA orN-alkylacrylamide monomers will be less than 20% on a molar basis in theco-polymers, in a polymer substantially based on a plurality of DMAmonomers; or, for the more hydrophilic monomers NAEE or NAGL, less than10% on a molar basis.

In further embodiments, polymers may comprise an N-vinyl amide-typemonomer. Such polymers are described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,671,367, thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. Insome embodiments, the N-vinyl amide-type polymer can be Poly(N-vinylacetamide) (PNVA).

In some embodiments, polymer or copolymer is selected from the groupconsisting of linear polyacrylamide, polyethylene oxide,poly-N-N-dimethylacrylamide, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene glycolend capped with fluorocarbon tails, hydroxyethylcellulose,methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, poly-N-acryloyl aminopropanol,poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide-co-N,N-dimethylacrylamide), poly(N-(acrylaminoethoxy)ethyl-β-D-glucopyranose), glucomannan, dextran, agarose, orpoly-N-isopropyl acrylamide.

Typically, co-polymers will be random co-polymers, that is, formed fromthe polymerization of a mixture of different monomers which will berandomly incorporated, in no particular order, into growing polymerchains. However, in some embodiments, co-polymers can be “block”co-polymers, that is, co-polymers which as polymerized contain smallgroups of certain monomers incorporated into “blocks” of a certain typeof monomers.

N-substituted polyacrylamides of the composition can have aweight-average molar mass of at least 500,000 g/mol and generallysignificantly higher in molar mass, e.g., between 3.5 M g/mol and 5Mg/mol. They can be present in the composition in an amount between about1.5% (w/v) and 8.0% (w/v), e.g., about 5.5% (w/v) copolymer dissolved inthe electrophoresis medium.

Polymers suitable for the compositions disclosed may be obtained fromcommercial sources and include but are not limited to NANOPOP-4,NANOPOP-6 and NANOPOP-7 polymers from MCLAB and POP-4, POP-6 and POP-7polymers from Thermo Fisher Scientific.

The composition can comprise linear polymers and/or cross-linkedpolymers. For instance, a sparsely cross-linked polymer can comprise1×10⁻⁸ mol % to about 1×10⁻³ mol of cross-linking moiety, such asbis-acrylamide. Alternatively, a cross-linked polymer can be polymerizedfrom a solution containing less than about 0.1% (w/v) of a cross-linkingmoiety in the polymerization mixture.

In some embodiments, the medium is used in the performance ofelectrophoresis in a microchannel. In certain embodiments, themicrochannel has at least one aspect no greater than 120 microns.Channels can be cylindrical in geometry, such as in a glass or fusedsilica capillary, or rectangular in shape, such as in a glass, plastic,or hybrid glass/plastic layered microfluidic device. In the case ofcapillary electrophoresis, a preferred microchannel dimension for acylindrical channel is an inner diameter of about 75 microns. Inmicrochannel-based electrophoresis devices, linear polymers or sparselycross-linked polymers are preferred, because they produce asubstantially fluid electrophoresis medium that can be pumped into andout of the microchannel under moderate applied positive or negativepressures, to force a spent aliquot of medium out of the microchannel,and refill the microchannel with a fresh aliquot of separation medium.

In some embodiments, the polymer is a homo-polymer or co-polymers of oneor more N-substituted acrylamide monomers selected from the groupconsisting of DMA, DEA, NAEE and NAGL, that is, it contains onlymonomers selected from the group. One exemplary polymer comprises atleast any of 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97% or 99% (w/w) dimethylacrylamidemonomer. Another polymer further comprises between about 1% and about20% diethylacrylamide monomers. Another polymer further comprisesbetween about 1% and about 10% w/w of a more hydrophilic monomer, e.g.,N-acryloyl-aminoethoxyethanol-substituted acrylamide (NAEE) monomers, orN-allyl glucose monomers (e.g., about 3% w/w).

In other embodiments, compositions are provided that comprise a sievingcomponent, comprising at least one low viscosity, high molecular weightnon-crosslinked acrylamide polymer, and a surface interaction component,comprising at least one non-crosslinked polymer. Such polymers aredescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,221,607, 8,366,900, 8,734,630, 9,625,416and 9,964,517, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

In another embodiment the polymer is a co-polymer comprising DMA and atleast one acrylamide monomer not selected from the group consisting ofDEA, NAEE and NAGL.

In another embodiment the composition comprises a polymer blend. “Blend”means a mixture of two or more polymers that may differ in physical orchemical polymer properties, or both. The blend can include onlypolymers comprising DMA or co-polymers comprising DMA and any of DEA,NAEE or NAGL, as well as these polymers and others (e.g., co-polymerscomprising DMA and at least one other monomer other than DEA, NAEE andNAGL, or acrylamide polymers not including DMA.

In some embodiments, the polymer or copolymer can be used in theelectrophoresis separation media or sieving polymer compositionsdescribed herein in an amount between about 1.0 wt % to about 8.0 wt %of the medium. In some embodiments, the polymer or copolymer can be usedin the electrophoresis separation media or sieving polymer compositionsdescribed herein in an amount between 1.0 wt % to 8.0 wt % of the mediumor composition. In some embodiments, the polymer or copolymer can beused in the electrophoresis separation media or sieving polymercompositions described herein in an amount between about 2.0 wt % toabout 7.0 wt % of the medium or composition. In some embodiments, thepolymer or copolymer can be used in the electrophoresis separation mediaor sieving polymer compositions described herein in an amount between2.0 wt % to 7.0 wt % of the medium or composition. In some embodiments,the polymer or copolymer can be used in the electrophoresis separationmedia or sieving polymer compositions described herein in an amountbetween about 3.0 wt % to about 6.0 wt % of the medium or composition.In some embodiments, the polymer or copolymer can be used in theelectrophoresis separation media or sieving polymer compositionsdescribed herein in an amount between 3.0 wt % to 3.0 wt % of the mediumor composition.

B. Nucleic Acid Applications

Sieving compositions and capillary electrophoresis (CE) compositions andassociated instruments are useful for analysis of nucleic acid samples,and are employed for, among other things, nucleic acid sequencing,genotyping, and forensic genetic analyses. In some embodiments, theanalysis of a nucleic acid sample using such instruments can involve thepreparation of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) by sequencing, PCR, ordenaturation of double stranded DNA (dsDNA). In some methods, it isnecessary to denature dsDNA to provide ssDNA. In many CE applicationsknown in the art, urea is used as a denaturant. However, as noted above,the use of urea as a denaturant in a capillary electrophoresis mediumleads to certain limitations. Accordingly, in some embodiments, thepresent disclosure provides for capillary electrophoresis media thatcontain a denaturant that is not urea. In some embodiments, the presentdisclosure provides for capillary electrophoresis media that issubstantially free of urea.

1. Denaturant Compounds

Compositions of this disclosure include one or more compounds that cancause denaturation of dsDNA or inhibit re-naturation of single-strandedpolynucleotides during electrophoresis (as used herein, “denaturantcompounds”). For electrophoresis in ssDNA applications, the DNA shouldbe completely or essentially single-stranded. Typically double-strandedDNA is denatured prior to electrophoresis with high temperature, so thatsingle-stranded polynucleotides can be analyzed. Urea has been used tomaintain DNA single-strandedness in capillary electrophoresis. However,urea is known to degrade quickly and separation media containing ittypically cannot be used more than about a day after formulation, unlessrefrigerated at 4° C. In contrast, the denaturant compounds used in thecompositions of this disclosure resist such rapid degradation.Accordingly, the compositions can include one or more (e.g., a pluralityof) compounds selected from proline (e.g., L-proline, D-proline or aracemic mixture thereof), histidine (e.g., L-histidine, D-histidine or aracemic mixture thereof), betaine, trehalose, acetonitrile, imidazole,dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone,3-(1-pyridinio)-1-propanesulfonate and 2-N,N,N-Tri-n-butylammoniumacetate. In some embodiments, the compositions described herein caninclude one or more compounds of the formula (I)

wherein R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are each independently H or optionallysubstituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, with the proviso that at least one of R¹, R²,R³, and R⁴ is not H. In some embodiments, the compositions describedherein do not include urea (H₂NC(O)NH₂). In some embodiments, thedenaturant can be any compound described by the formula (I), includingbut not limited to, 1,3-dimethylurea, 1,1-dimethylurea, 1,3-diethylurea,1,1-diethylurea, ethylurea, propyl urea, and the like.

The compounds can be present in an amount sufficient to denaturedouble-stranded DNA or other nucleic acid, including derivatives oranalogs of DNA. However, more typically, the compounds will be presentin an amount sufficient to inhibit re-formation of double-stranded(comprising two strands) DNA molecules during the electrophoreticanalysis, for example, from polynucleotides that are alreadyheat-denatured. In certain embodiments, the denaturant comprises amixture of two, three, four or more than four of the aforementioneddenaturants. In some embodiments, the compound can be present in theseparation medium in an amount between about 0.2 M to 5.5 M, e.g., about2M. In some embodiments, the concentration of the denaturant compound inthe medium or composition can be from between about 1 M to about 4 M. Insome embodiments, the concentration of the denaturant compound in themedium or composition can be from between about 1.25 M to about 3 M. Insome embodiments, the concentration of the denaturant compound in themedium or composition can be from between about 1.5 M to about 2.5 M. Insome embodiments, the denaturant compound can be in an amount betweenabout 10 wt % and 50 wt % of the medium or composition. In someembodiments, the denaturant compound can be in an amount between about20 wt % and 40 wt % of the medium or composition. In some embodiments,the concentration of the denaturant compound in the medium orcomposition can be from between 1 M to 4 M. In some embodiments, theconcentration of the denaturant compound in the medium or compositioncan be from between 1.25 M to 3 M. In some embodiments, theconcentration of the denaturant compound in the medium or compositioncan be from between 1.5 M to 2.5 M. In some embodiments, the denaturantcompound can be in an amount between 10 wt % and 50 wt % of the mediumor composition. In some embodiments, the denaturant compound can be inan amount between about 20 wt % and 40 wt % of the medium orcomposition.

In exemplary embodiments the denaturant can be (a) about 2M proline andtrehalose (e.g., in about a 1:1 mixture); (b) betaine and proline (e.g.,about 2M, or in about a 1:1 mixture); (c) betaine, trehalose and proline(e.g., about 3M or in about a 1:1 mixture); (d) acetonitrile (e.g.,about 6% v/v); (e) acetonitrile and 2M 2-N,N,N-Tri-n-butylammoniumacetate (e.g., about 3% acetonitrile and about 2M2-N,N,N-Tri-n-butylammonium acetate); (f) proline and DMSO (e.g., about2M Proline and 1.3% DMSO); (g) betaine and DMSO (e.g., about 2M Betaineand 1.3% DMSO). DMSO, which is miscible with aqueous media and a stablemolecule, has higher viscosity than water. It can be used in amountsthat do not interfere with CE. The addition of small amounts ofwater-miscible organic solvents such as DMSO or acetonitrile can improvethe separation medium by enhancing the solubility of the non-ureadenaturants or of the sieving polymer or copolymers. Compositions ofthis disclosure can be free, “essentially free” (i.e., in no more thantrace amounts) or substantially free of biomolecules (e.g., nucleicacids, DNA, RNA or polypeptides) and/or of urea,N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, δ-caprolactam, N-methyl-caprolactam,guanidinium hydrochloride, dimethylformamide (DMF) or dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO). “Essentially free” can mean amounts carried over during samplepreparation, e.g., by PCR. As used herein, “substantially free” meansamounts that still allow the separation medium to retain functionalstability. For example, “substantially free” can include up to about 5wt % of the component, such as urea, or up to about 4 wt %, or up toabout 3 wt %, or up to about 2 wt %, or up to about 1 wt %, or up toabout 0.5 wt %. In further embodiments, “substantially free” can includeup to 5 wt % of the component, such as urea, or up to 4 wt %, or up to 3wt %, or up to 2 wt %, or up to 1 wt %, or up to 0.5 wt %.

C. Double Stranded DNA Applications

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) instruments are useful for analysis ofDNA samples, and are employed for applications that involve dsDNA, forexample analysis of RNA and DNA labeled with an intercalating dye. Insome embodiments, PCR fragments labeled with an intercalating dye can beanalyzed using the compositions and methods described herein. In someembodiments, DNA libraries labeled with an intercalating dye can beanalyzed using the compositions and methods described herein. In someembodiments, the systems and methods described herein can use multiplefluorescent dyes within the same capillary. In some embodiments, dsDNAlabeled with an intercalating dye can be sized with a single-strandedsize standard that is labeled with a different dye.

D. Protein Applications

Sieving compositions and capillary electrophoresis (CE) compositions andassociated instruments are also useful for the analysis of proteins,peptides, glycoproteins and glycans samples. The compositions can beemployed for, among other things, protein or peptide sequencing, glycananalysis and/or glycan sequencing, or for recombinant protein analyses,antibody analyses or biosimilar analyses. In many CE applications knownin the art, urea is used as a denaturant. However, as noted above, theuse of urea as a denaturant in a capillary electrophoresis medium forproteins, peptides, glycoproteins or glycans can lead to certainlimitations like poor separation. Accordingly, in some embodiments, thepresent disclosure provides for capillary electrophoresis media thatcontain a denaturant that is not urea, such as SDS or any relateddetergent. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides that isfree of urea. In some embodiments the methods for analyzing proteins,glycoproteins, peptides or glycans are urea free for capillaryelectrophoresis media. Further to this embodiment, in such capillaryelectrophoresis (CE) urea-free analysis, it may be necessary to denaturethe protein, glycoprotein or peptide during electrophoresis with commondenaturants like SDS or related detergents. In other methods, it may benecessary to analyze the protein glycoprotein or peptide in its nativestate without a detergent like SDS or the like. Therefore, in certainembodiments, provided herein are electrophoretic separation media,sieving compositions, including polymer-based sieving compositions, freeof urea but instead comprises sugars to improve resolution. Exemplarycompositions for capillary electrophoresis are described the Examples inTables 1, 2A, 2B and 2C, also referred to as electrophoresis separationmedium. The compositions were used for the separation and/or resolutionof biomolecules such as DNA, proteins, peptides, glycoproteins, glycans.

E. Compounds capable of adjusting refractive index and ResolutionEnhancers

Urea is known in the art to for assisting in matching the refractiveindex of the separation media to that of the fused-silica material thatmakes up the walls of capillaries in CE systems. Urea at concentrationsas high as 8M can serve two purposes in CE applications: (a) urea canprovide denaturation to polynucleotides for high precision/accurate DNAfragment separation, and (b) urea can as a reagent needed to refocus thelaser beam as it travels through a capillary array bundle (leading touniform signal distribution across an array; “spectral calibration”).For double stranded DNA experiments, the latter property of urea isnecessary. However, because urea acts as a denaturant, systems foranalyzing dsDNA are in tension with this property. In the absence ofurea, formulations including polymer and buffer are operable in singlecapillary CE instruments (such as Prism310), but the same formulationsprovide poor spatial calibration in multiple capillary systems, suchthat very low signal can be observed in the center capillaries of a 24capillary array. In addition, it was unexpected discovered that certainagents included in a capillary electrophoresis medium can provideincreased resolution of DNA fragments that are as close as within 1-bpto each other. It has been accepted in the art that in order to achievesuch high resolution, polymers that contain a denaturant (e.g. urea)have to be used in capillary electrophoresis media. In addition, it wasdiscovered that slowing down electrophoretic mobility of DNA fragmentsby lowering the electrophoresis voltage showed no improvement inresolution, while the addition of certain agents to capillaryelectrophoresis media provides improved resolution. Such methods andcompositions can find use in sequencing and STR fragment sizing (i.e.HID).

In some embodiments, sugars can be used as an inert chemical than doesnot denature the DNA that are being analyzed, but can provide otherproperties, such as adjusting refractive index and/or acting asresolution enhancers. Sugar can increase the viscosity of the polymerand affect separation and detection of the proteins. Sugars can alsoincrease the refraction index of the polymer and improve the uniformityof signals across a multi-capillary array such as the 24-capillary arrayof 3500xL or 8-capillary array of 3500. Types of sugars include but arenot limited to: any sugar and its derivatives, sugar isomers and theirderivatives, pentose sugars and their derivatives, hexose sugars andtheir derivatives. saccharides and their derivatives, mono saccharidesand their derivatives. disaccharides and their derivatives,trisaccharides and their derivatives, oligosaccharides and theirderivatives, polysaccharides and their derivatives, starches,carbohydrates or starch hydrolysates, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates,the following sugars or any of their derivatives: glucose, galactose,sucrose, fructose, lactose, erythrose, arabinose, maltose, mannose,rhamnose, xylose, trehalose, sucralose, cellobiose; sugar alcohols orpolyols and any of their derivatives: xylitol, lactulose, sorbitol,mannitol, maltitol, lactitol, erythritol, glycerol: agarose and itsderivatives. glycogen, low molecular weight dextran (60-1500 kDa) andits derivatives. Sugar or sugar alcohols can be used individually, forexample 20% of galactose or 30% of sucrose, or in combination. Forexample, combinations of sugars such as 10% mannose combined with 10%sucrose to make final 20% of sugar, or 10% dextran combined with 20%mannose to make final 30% of sugar. Concentrations of sugars or sugaralcohols are preferably from 0-40% in the final polymer composition.

In some embodiments, agent capable of adjusting refractive index and/oracting as resolution enhancers include, but are not limited to, asaccharide, a sugar alcohol, or a combination thereof. In someembodiments, the saccharide is a monosaccharide, a disaccharide, anoligosaccharide, or a polysaccharide.

It will be appreciated that certain of the agents recited herein canserve multiple functions in the media or compositions described herein.For example, certain compounds can act as a denaturant and/or to adjustrefractive index and/or as a resolution enhancer. In certain otherembodiments, the agents described herein can act in adjusting refractiveindex and/or acting as a resolution enhancer. In yet other embodiments,the agents may be present in the composition but, depending onprevailing reaction conditions, the expected effect on denaturation,refractive index or resolution may not be observable.

F. Aqueous Solutions/Buffers

As used herein, an aqueous solution is a solution in which thepredominant solvent is water, for example, at least any of 92%, 99% or100% H₂O (v/v). Other solvents that can be included in the aqueoussolution include acetonitrile or DMSO, e.g., at 1%-6% (v/v). Typically,the separation medium contains dissolved buffer salts. For example, thebuffering compounds can include Tris(hydroxymethyl aminomethane)(“Tris”), N-Tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl-3-aminopropanesulfonic acid(“TAPS”), N-cuclohexyl-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid (“CHES”) or thedivalent metal ion chelator Ethylene Diamine Tetra-Acetic Acid (“EDTA”),for example, Tris, TAPS, EDTA; Tris Acetate EDTA or Tris Borate EDTA. Insome embodiments, the composition can be buffered to a pH between about7.0 and 8.5 In some embodiments, the composition can be buffered to a pHbetween about 6.0 and 9.0. In some embodiments, the composition can bebuffered to a pH between 7.0 and 8.5. In some embodiments, thecomposition can be buffered to a pH between 6.0 and 9.0. In someembodiments, pH-buffering salts can be selected from the groupconsisting of Tris (Tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane), TAPS(3-{[1,3-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl) propan-2-yl] amino}propane-1-sulfonic acid), TES (2-{[1,3-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)propan-2-yl] amino}ethane sulfonic acid), CHES (2-(Cyclohexyl amino)ethanesulfonic acid), EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), TAPS/EDTA,TES/EDTA, Tris/TAPS/EDTA, Tris/TES/EDTA, Tris/acetate/EDTA,Tris/borate/EDTA, and Tris/CHES/EDTA.

G. Capillary Wall Coatings

The phenomenon of electroosmotic flow can result in peak broadening orshifting during electrophoresis. This phenomenon can result in misshapenDNA peaks and separation performance degradation during electrophoresis.One solution is to include a dynamically adsorbed or covalently appliedcoating on the inner microchannel wall that inhibits electroosmotic flowand DNA molecule interactions with the microchannel wall. Accordingly,compositions of this disclosure can optionally include a wall-coatingmaterial. Many so-called “dynamic” (spontaneously self-adsorbing) wallcoating materials are known in the art. These include, for example,poly-N-hydroxyethyl acrylamide (pHEA) (“Poly-N-hydroxyethyl acrylamide:A novel hydrophilic, self-coating polymer matrix for DNA sequencing bycapillary electrophoresis”, M. N. Albarghouthi et al., Electrophoresis(2002) 23, 1429-1440). Other coatings include copolymers of DMA andother monomers that can form bonds to a surface, designated “MCP-1”.Useful coatings, including MCP-1, are described in U.S. Pat. No.6,410,668 (Chiari), and M. Chiari et al., “New adsorbed coatings forcapillary electrophoresis” 2001 Electrophoresis 21:909-916, incorporatedherein by reference. The coating materials of the '668 patent comprise afirst and a second type of copolymerized monomers, said first monomertype selected from a group consisting of acrylamide, methacrylamide,N-monosubstituted acrylamide, N-monosubstituted methacrylamide, N,N-disubstituted acrylamide, and N,N-disubstituted methacrylamide; andsaid second monomer selected from the group consisting of glycidyl groupcontaining monomers, diol group containing monomers and allyl groupcontaining carbohydrate monomers. The coating materials can be presentin the separation medium mixture at no more than about 2% w/w with theseparation polymer, preferably no more than 1% w/w overall. Often, evenlower concentrations of dissolved wall-coating polymers are useful.

H. Stability

The compositions of this disclosure can be used as a DNA separationmedium for capillary electrophoresis. The compositions exhibitfunctional stability. As used herein, a composition exhibits “functionalstability” for capillary electrophoresis if, using a capillary having abore of 75 microns inner diameter and a length of about 30 cm, theseparation medium provides single-base DNA molecule resolution up to 200nucleotides and 4-base resolution up to 450 nucleotides, or protein,peptide, glycoprotein, glycan resolution even after storage at about 23°C. for at least any of one week, one month, two months, four months, orsix months, one year, eighteen months, two years, greater than twoyears. Exemplary compositions for capillary electrophoresis describedthe Examples in Tables 1, 2A, 2B and 2C, also referred to aselectrophoresis separation medium, were used for the separation and/orresolution of biomolecules such as DNA, protein, peptide, glycoprotein,glycan, and exhibited functional stability for capillary electrophoresisafter storage at about 23° C. for: one month, two months, six months,one year, eighteen months, two years, greater than two years.

Typically, a gel exhibiting chemical and physical stability presents aclear and homogenous solution over time. An acrylamide polymer exhibitschemical stability if, after storage at about 23° C. for at least any ofone day, one week, one month two months, four months, or six months, nomore than 5%, 4%, 3% or 2% of the polymers in the composition exhibitcarboxylic acid side chain moieties, e.g., as assessed by an NMRanalysis of the dissolved polymer. Accordingly, the separation mediaprovided herein do not require refrigeration at 4° C., as do otherseparation media.

II. Devices and Systems

This disclosure also provides devices and systems employing theseparation media provided herein.

A. Microchannel Devices

Provided herein are devices comprising a solid substrate having one ormore microchannels filled with a separation medium of this disclosure.Such devices are useful for performing capillary electrophoresisanalysis of biomolecules, such as nucleic acids. Such devices can bemade, for example, of a plastic or a glass. Capillary electrophoresiscan be performed using a traditional capillary or in a microfluidicdevice containing one or more microchannels filled with a separationmedium. Capillaries typically have a core or channel having an innerdiameter between about 50 microns and 100 microns, e.g., around 75microns. Microchannels can be pre-coated with a covalently boundmaterial that inhibits electroosmotic flow, as an alternative toincluding a dissolved, dynamically absorbable coating material in theseparation medium composition.

Capillaries can be loaded with separation medium using a high-pressuresystem. For example, gel can be contained in the space of a devicecomprising a barrel comprising an internal space and a plunger fitted inthe space, such as a syringe, and an open end of the capillary can beput into communication, e.g., via a connecting tube, with the open tipof the device. Such devices can generate the high pressures necessary tofill and to empty a capillary with a viscous separation medium. In someembodiments, the device can include an electrode, such as an anode orcathode that communicates with the internal space. In this way, aftergel injection, the syringe device functions as an electrode forelectrophoresis. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,635,050 (Pentoney).

In another aspect, this disclosure provides a kit comprising a containercontaining a separation medium of this disclosure and a containercontaining an electrophoresis buffer.

B. Systems

A system of this disclosure can be configured to analyze an analyte,e.g., DNA, by electrophoresis. Systems for carrying out capillaryelectrophoresis are well-known. Many references are available describingbasic apparatuses and several capillary electrophoresis instruments arecommercially available, e.g., the model 3730 DNA Analyzer, 3730xl DNAAnalyzer, 3500xL Genetic Analyzer, SeqStudio™ Genetic Analyzer, 3130Genetic Analyzer or 310 Genetic Analyzer instruments from Thermo FisherScientific. Exemplary references describing capillary electrophoresisapparatus and their operation include Jorgenson, Methods: A Companion toMethods in Enzymology, 4: 179-190 (1992); Colburn et al., AppliedBiosystems Research News, issue 1 (winter 1990); Grossman et al.,editors, Capillary Electrophoresis (Academic Press, San Diego, 1992);and the like.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary electrophoresis assembly. A microchannel(e.g., a capillary) filled with a composition of this disclosure is inelectrical communication with an anode and a cathode. The anode andcathode are, themselves, in electrical communication with a voltagesource, such as a battery or power supply, e.g., connected through anelectrical outlet. The analyte is delivered to the cathode end of themicrochannel. In this example, the assembly is configured forcross-injection. The cathode can be a forked cathode to focus theanalyte to the point of injection. An optical assembly comprises a lightsource, e.g., a laser, optics, such as lenses, and a detector, such as aspectrograph. The optical assembly is positioned so that the light beampasses through the microchannel closer to the anode, that is, in aposition consistent with detecting analytes separated byelectrophoresis.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary system for sample analysis by electrophoresis.The system can comprise a sample preparation module and a sampleanalysis module. The sample preparation module can be configured toperform any of cell lysis, analyte purification (e.g., isolation ofbiomolecular analytes), and biochemical reaction, e.g., amplification ofnucleic acid analytes. Analyte that is ready for separation istransmitted through fluidic lines to a sample analysis module. Thesample analysis module can include an injection assembly for injectionof analyte into the microchannel, as well as a waste module to collectuninjected sample and buffers. After analyte injection, the analyte isseparated in the microchannel by electrophoresis. A detection systemdetects separated analytes. The system can further comprise a computerto operate the modules and to collect and analyze data generated by theanalysis module. Such devices are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.8,894,946 (Nielsen et al.), incorporated herein by reference.

III. Methods

A. Methods of Making

Dimethylacrylamide and diethylacrylamide can be obtained from commercialsuppliers, such as Sigma Aldrich or Monomer-Polymer and Dajac Labs(Trevose, P A).

N-allyl glucose and N-acryloyl-aminoethyoxyethanol-substitutedacrylamide monomers are commercially available from Lucidant Polymers,Sunnyvale, CA.

Synthesis of N-acryloyl-aminoethoxyethanol-substituted acrylamide(N-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethyl-acrylamide). The monomer is obtained asfollows: to 120 mL of CH2Cl2 are added mL (0.278 F mol) ofaminoethoxyethanol and 27.6 mL (0.198 mol) of triethylamine. Thissolution is added dropwise with 16 mL (0.198 mol) of acryloyl chloride(at ca. 0° C.) and stirring is continued for about 2 hours at roomtemperature. After filtering the precipitated salts, the organic phaseis washed (twice, 100 mL each time) with pH 5.5 phosphate buffer inpresence of NaCl. After drying over Na₂SO₄, the last residues of organicsolvent are evaporated in a rotavapor. The product is analyzed by TLC inCHCl₃/CH₃OR (7:3 and then 9:1) as eluent. Yield: ca. 8 g. The product ispurified on a silica column, eluted first with CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH (95:5) andthen with CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH (9:1). (See U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,916 (Righetti etal.).)

Betaine, acetonitrile, proline, histidine, imidazole, DMSO,N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, 3-(1-pyridinio)-1-propanesulfonate andtrehalose are available from, e.g., Sigma Aldrich. Synthesis of2-N,N,N-Tri-n-butylammonium acetate is described in Koumoto et al.,Tetrahedron (64) 2008, 168-174.

Electrophoresis separation media can be produced following the methodsof formulation and dissolution disclosed in many publications, forinstance: “Ultra-fast DNA sequencing on a microchip by a hybridseparation mechanism that gives 600 bases in 6.5 minutes”, C. P.Fredlake et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (2008) 105, 476-481. PMCID:PMC2206561. The average molar mass of the sieving polymers or copolymersused to separation DNA according to size can be measured followingmethods disclosed in the paper: “The use of light scattering for precisecharacterization of polymers for DNA sequencing by capillaryelectrophoresis”, B. A. Buchholz and A. E. Barron, Electrophoresis(2001) 22, 4118-4128].

B. Methods of Using

This disclosure provides methods of electrophoretically separatingbiomolecular analytes using a separation medium as disclosed herein. Theseparation media of this disclosure exhibit chemical stability atambient temperatures, such as room temperature (about 20° to 25° C.,e.g., about 23° C.). So, for example, after formulation (in particular,after putting the denaturing compound into solution) the separationmedia of this disclosure can be stored for at least any of one day(i.e., 24 hours), one week, one month, six months or one year attemperatures above 4° C., above 15° C., above 20° C., above 25° C. orabove 30° C. For example, the composition can be stored between about15° C. and 40° C. Accordingly, the separation media of the disclosureare useful for settings remote from a full laboratory. Such settingsinclude, for example, those in which the user is not practically able tofreshly formulate the separation media or store electrophoresis media ina separate refrigerator. These include, for example, a point-of-caresetting (e.g., a hospital, ambulance), a police station (e.g., a bookingstation) setting or a combat zone (e.g., a battlefield or war zone). Theseparation medium can be injected into the microchannel at the time ofuse, or can be stored in the microchannel of a device, such as amicrofluidic device or a capillary, in anticipation of future use.Accordingly, the device can be a consumable device that is replaced inan electrophoresis instrument.

Separation media of this disclosure are particularly useful in theanalysis of nucleic acids. This includes DNA and RNA. Typically, beforebeing introduced into the separation medium, the nucleic acid isdenatured to separate duplexes of DNA-DNA, DNA-RNA or RNA-RNA.Double-stranded regions within a molecule, such as hairpins or stem-loopstructures, also can be denatured before analysis. Polynucleotides foranalysis by electrophoretic separation can have average lengths of nomore than about 1300 nucleotides.

Separation media also can be used to separate and detect peptides,proteins, glycoproteins, glycans or complexes of nucleic acids (DNA orRNA) and proteins. Such media can also have use for lipoproteinanalysis. Exemplary separation media for capillary electrophoresis aredescribed the Examples in Tables 1, 2A, 2B and 2C, are also referred toas electrophoresis separation medium in this disclosure, and these wereused for the separation and/or resolution of biomolecules such as DNA,proteins, peptides, glycoproteins, glycans.

In some embodiments, the separation of biomolecules using the disclosedsieving compositions or electrophoresis separation media is preceded bysample preparation. The sample preparation can include one or more stepssuch as cell lysis, DNA or RNA extraction, preparation of cDNA from RNA.Optionally, the nucleic acid can be amplified prior to separation,including via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The nucleic acidamplification can include thermal cycling or isothermal amplification.In some embodiments, the nucleic acid is amplified using target-specificPCR, including singleplex or multiplex PCR. In some embodiments, thenucleic acid is amplified using non-specific PCR such as whole genomeamplification (WGA) and/or priming with random or degenerate primers. Insome embodiments, the nucleic acid amplification products can includeuniversal sequences that were present in the primers used foramplification. In some embodiments, universal sequences can be appendedto the amplified product, for example via ligation. In some embodiments,the amplified products can include a short sequence (bar code) thatidentifies the source of the amplification product. The bar code canoptionally identify the tissue or cell sample from which theamplification product originated. In some embodiments, the bar codeidentifies the template nucleic acid molecule that was copied to formthe amplification product (e.g., molecular or stochastic bar coding).

In some embodiments, sample preparation for protein and or glycoproteinanalysis can include one or more steps such as cell lysis, proteinextraction, and optionally purification steps using suitable methodssuch as antibody coated beads, flocculants, purification columns, etc.Sample preparation may or may not involve protein labeling with asuitable dye, including but not limited to, fluorescent dyes. Samplepreparation for glycan analysis may further involve the use of glycancleaving enzymes such as endoglycosidases, including but not limited toPNGase. Sample preparation may be manual or automated.

In some embodiments, the analysis involves detecting genetic allelesbased on size. One example of this is detection of alleles at one ormore short tandem repeat (“STR”) loci. DNA can be subject to multiplexamplification of a plurality of STR loci. The loci can be, for example,STR loci used for identity testing, e.g., for forensic or paternitytesting. Thirteen core loci used in the CODIS system include CSF1PO,FGA, THO1, TPDX, VWA, D3S1358, D5S818, D7S820, D8S1179, D135317,D165539, D18551, D21S11. In some embodiments, the analysis involvesseparation of non-CODiS loci. Optionally, the analysis includesdetermining or identifying the source (e.g., human individual, animal orcell culture sample) from which the genetic material was obtained. Insome embodiments, the analysis includes identifying a father of a knownindividual or animal (e.g., paternity testing).

In other embodiments, a desired locus is amplified and then subject tosequencing reactions, such as Sanger sequencing or Maxam-Gilbertsequencing. These methods create DNA ladders which, upon analysis bycapillary electrophoresis, indicate the identity of a terminal base fromwhich, in turn, a nucleotide sequence can be determined.

For example, the separation medium can be used in the detection, e.g.,sequencing, of diagnostic alleles. For example, the alleles can be froman MHC (major histocompatibility complex) gene, for example, for tissuematching in a transplant situation. Alternatively, the allele can befrom an oncogene (tumor promoter or tumor suppressor) for cancerdiagnosis. All publications and patent applications mentioned in thisspecification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent asif each individual publication or patent application was specificallyand individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

While certain embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown anddescribed herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatsuch embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerousvariations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilledin the art without departing from the disclosure. It should beunderstood that various alternatives to the embodiments of thedisclosure described herein may be employed in practicing thedisclosure. It is intended that the following claims define the scope ofthe disclosure and that methods and structures within the scope of theseclaims and their equivalents be covered thereby.

Examples Sugar Polymer Formulations for Capillary Electrophoresis ofBiomolecules

Multiple capillary electrophoresis systems such as the 3500 and 3500xLhave advantages over single capillary electrophoresis systems in thatthey provide rapid and high throughput analysis of DNA, peptides,proteins, glycoproteins, glycans, etc. However, since current polymerscontain about 7M urea, the resolution of peptides, proteins,glycoproteins is greatly reduced in the presence of urea. Without urea,the base polymers we studied showed good separation of proteins. But theremoval of urea from the polymer changed the refractive property andresulted in great differences in signal intensity amongst thecapillaries. Therefore, comparison of runs between capillaries producesspurious results.

We investigated various urea and non-urea substitutes in electrophoresisseparation medium for separating DNA, proteins, peptides, glycoproteins,or glycans. The terms electrophoresis separation medium, sievingpolymer, polymer compositions/formulations, or sugar polymercompositions/formulations may be used interchangeably. To substituteurea, we found that the addition of sugars to the sievingpolymer/copolymer mix can greatly correct the refractive index problemamongst the 24 capillaries as well as give good separation of proteins.Thus, we screened hundreds of polymer/copolymer mixes of varyingpercentages together with different sugars (also at varying percentages)to generate the electrophoresis separation medium, sieving polymer,polymer compositions/formulations, or sugar polymercompositions/formulations. Sugar polymer formulations were selectedbased on their ability to give uniform signals across 24 capillaries andtheir ability to resolve proteins/peptides/glycoproteins/glycanssharply. Additional parameters were noted during separations andcontributed to selection: highest and lowest signals, signal height,solubility of the material, final viscosity, polymer uptake into anarray, ability to remove bubbles, run time, reproducibility of results,etc. We found that the addition of sugars can not only replace urea, butcan also correct the refractive index problem amongst the 24 capillaries(see FIGS. 6-10 ). The exemplary sugar polymer formulations studiedshowed good separation of proteins and glycoproteins (see Tables 1 and 2for formulations). These sugar polymers can also be used for theanalyses of other biomolecules including DNA, peptides, and glycans.These are applicable to various capillary electrophoresis instrumentssuch as the 3130, 3730, and 3500/3500xl.

Since high molecular weight dextran, PEG, and polyacrylamide have beenreported in protein separation by capillary electrophoresis, we decidedto test these materials in protein separation to make the final sugarpolymer formulations, sieving polymer/copolymer of up to 6% wereused—for e.g. up to 6% LPA, or a combination of LPA+PMDA up to 6%, orPMDA alone up to 6%, or 5-20% dextran (1500 kDa) and so on. Sugars wereincorporated from about 1% to 30%. Exemplary formulations are shown inTables 1 and in Tables 2A-C below.

Sugars are used as inert chemicals that do not react with the proteinthat are being analyzed. Sugar can increase the viscosity of the polymerand affect separation and detection of the proteins. Sugars can alsoincrease the refraction index of the polymer and improve the uniformityof signals across a multi-capillary array such as the 24-capillary arrayof 3500xL or 8-capillary array of 3500. Types of sugars include but arenot limited to: any sugar and its derivatives, sugar isomers and theirderivatives, pentose sugars and their derivatives, hexose sugars andtheir derivatives, saccharides and their derivatives, mono saccharidesand their derivatives, disaccharides and their derivatives,trisaccharides and their derivatives, oligosaccharides and theirderivatives, polysaccharides and their derivatives, starches,carbohydrates or starch hydrolysates, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates,the following sugars or any of their derivatives: glucose, galactose,sucrose, fructose, lactose, erythrose, arabinose, maltose, mannose,rhamnose, xylose, trehalose, sucralose, cellobiose; sugar alcohols orpolyols and any of their derivatives: xylitol, lactulose, sorbitol,mannitol, maltitol, lactitol, erythritol, glycerol; agarose and itsderivatives, glycogen, low molecular weight dextran (60-1500 kDa) andits derivatives. Sugar or sugar alcohols is used individually, forexample 20% of galactose or 30% of sucrose, or in combination. Forexample, combinations of sugars such as 10% mannose combined with 10%sucrose to make final 20% of sugar, or 10% dextran combined with 20%mannose to make final 30% of sugar. Concentrations of sugars or sugaralcohols are preferably from 0-40% in the final polymer composition.

TABLE 1 Screening of exemplary sugar polymer formulations Difference %Difference Polymer (H − L) H − L/H POP-7 (LPA + urea) 1237 29.20% LPA1909 75.10% 2% LPA + 30% Sucrose 150 mm TES 1014 30.18% 2.5% LPA 20%Xylitol 150 mm TES 1039 35.96% 2% LPA + 20% Galactose 150 mm TES 56017.09%

TABLE 2A Exemplary Xylitol compositions Polymer % Δ(H − L)/H POP-7 (LPAbased polymer 20.50 with 7M urea) 1.5-2.5% LPA 12.5% Xylitol 62.27 115mM TES 1.5-2.5% LPA 20% Xylitol 39.71 80 mM TES 1.5-2.5% LPA 20% Xylitol38.83 80 mM TES 1.5-2.5% LPA 5% Xylitol 64.05 150 mM TES 1.5-2.5% LPA20% Xylitol 41.87 150 mM TES 1.5-2.5% LPA 5% Xylitol 62.69 150 mM TES1.5-2.5% LPA 20% Xylitol 35.96 150 mM TES 1.5-2.5% LPA 5% Xylitol 64.2080 mM TES 1.5-2.5% LPA 5% Xylitol 66.49 80 mM TES

TABLE 2B Exemplary Sucrose compositions Polymer % Δ(H − L)/H POP-7 (LPAbased polymer 20.50 with 7M urea) 1.5-2.5% LPA 12.5% Sucrose 61.65 115mM TES 1.5-2.5% LPA 20% Sucrose 35.75 80 mM TES 1.5-2.5% LPA 20% Sucrose43.35 80 mM TES 1.5-2.5% LPA 5% Sucrose 62.60 150 mM TES 1.5-2.5% LPA20% Sucrose 37.97 150 mM TES 1.5-2.5% LPA 5% Sucrose 61.58 150 mM TES1.5-2.5% LPA 20% Sucrose 32.72 150 mM TES 1.5-2.5% LPA 5% Sucrose 63.2980 mM TES 1.5-2.5% LPA 5% Sucrose 67.67 80 mM TES

TABLE 2C Exemplary Galactose compositions Polymer % Δ(H − L)/H 1.5-2.5%LPA 12.5% Galactose 50.80 115 mM TES 1.5-2.5% LPA 20% Galactose 38.30150 mM TES 1.5-2.5% LPA 5% Galactose 56.65 150 mM TES 1.5-2.5% LPA 5%Galactose 36.40 150 mM TES 1.5-2.5% LPA 20% Galactose 29.10 150 mM TES1.5-2.5% LPA 20% Galactose 32.90 80 mM TES 1.5-2.5% LPA 20% Galactose36.70 80 mM TES 1.5-2.5% LPA 5% Galactose 62.10 80 mM TES 1.5-2.5% LPA5% Galactose 32.70 80 mM TES

Legends for Tables 2A-C

H: Highest intensity among the 24 capillaries in the same capillaryarray of 3500xLL: Lowest intensity among the 24 capillaries in the same capillary arrayof 3500xLΔ(H−L): Difference between the highest and lowest signal intensity% Δ(H−L)/H: Intensity difference divided by the highest intensityexpressed in percentage. (A smaller number means better signaluniformity across 24 capillaries in the same array.)

To perform the experiments described in Examples 1-4 below, the runswere performed as described below on the Thermo Fisher 3500xL-24capillary instrument. However, other multi-capillary instruments, aswell as single capillary instruments, for e.g. AB Sciex PA800 Plus orAgilent's CE instruments may also be utilized. In these experiments, astandard protein mixture (LC 5928) containing protein fragments from11-155 kDa (11, 21, 32, 40, 63, 98 and 155 kDa) was used to evaluate thepolymer resolution capability. The results are shown in FIGS. 6-10 , andthe details are described in the Description of the Figures.

Example 1. Separation of Proteins Under Denaturation Conditions: ProteinSeparation Based on the Molecular Weight in the Presence of theDetergent SDS 1.1 Polymer Compositions

Polymers are composed of a major sieving material (polyacrylamide orpolydimethylacrylamide), a denaturation reagent such as SDS, a buffer,and with or without sugar(s). For electrophoresis systems that do notneed correction of refractive index of the polymer, sugar may not benecessary, unless addition of sugars improves resolution. Resolution ofproteins, glycoproteins, glycans or peptides depends on theconcentrations of each component, type of buffer, and pH, and the andrunning conditions such as temperature, running voltages, and runningbuffer.

TABLE 3 Use of polyacrylamide as the major sieving polymerPolyacrylamide (500-1500 kDa)  1-4% Polydimethylacrylamide (500-1500kDa) 0.06%-1.2%   SDS (denaturation reagent) 0.04-0.2% Buffer TES, orTAPS (50-150 mM) phosphate 6-9  Sugar   0-40% MilliQ ™ water

TABLE 4 Use of polydimethylacrylamide as the major sieving polymerPolydimethylacrylamide (500-1500 kDa) 2%-6%  SDS (denaturation reagent)0.04-0.2% Buffer TES, TAPS 50-150 mM phosphate 6-9  Sugar   0-40%MilliQ ™ water Exemplary buffers used: TES:2-[[1,3-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)propan-2-yl]amino]ethanesulfonic acidTAPS:3-{[1,3-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)propan-2-yl]amino}propane-1-sulfonicacid Separation and resolution of proteins

Different proteins are shown as peaks on the electropherograms (FIGS.6-10 ); also see Description of Figures. Proteins with molecular weightsfrom ˜8 to ˜250 kDa were separated. Resolution of proteins depends onthe concentrations of the LPA and PDMA, sugar, buffer, and runningconditions of electrophoresis. For better resolution of small proteinsand peptides, the concentration of LPA or PDMA is higher.

Protein Sizing

Proteins of known sizes is calibrated as molecular weight standards forcomparison. A plot of migration time vs. molecular weight as a standardis used to size an unknown protein from its migration time on the plot.

Relative Quantitation of Proteins

Peak area is analyzed and obtained by a data analysis program such asChromeleon™. Relative quantitation of each peak represents a protein ofa specific molecular weight, and is calculated by dividing its area tothe total area. Relative quantitation can determine the purity of apurified protein sample.

Stability of Polymer

Sugars are stable molecules at room temperature. The polymers describedin Tables 1, 2A, B, C were stable for protein separation for severalmonths, and continue to remain stable at room temperature even after 18months of storage, indicating that no growth of micro-organisms occurredin the sugar polymers.

1.2 Method for the Separation and Detection of Proteins Labeled with aFluorescent Dye by Capillary Electrophoresis

Proteins were labeled with a suitable fluorescent dye that is detectedby the excitation and emission system of the system. For Thermo Fisher's3500 or 3500xL capillary electrophoresis instruments, the dyes include(but are not limited to) FAM, Alexa 400, LIZ, FQ etc. Proteins islabeled at primary amines such as the amino group at the N-terminus orthe lysine residues, or labeled at the sulfur group of cysteines.

-   -   1. Prepare the labeled protein in a sample injection buffer. The        sample injection buffer includes a buffer, and a denaturation        reagent. The following table shows the example of sample        injection buffers.

TABLE 5 Injection Buffer 1 Injection Buffer 2 Injection Buffer 3 0.5-2%SDS 0.5-2% SDS 0.5-2% SDS 50-100 mM Tris-HCl 40-90 mM citric acid 10-60mM sodium pH 7.4-9.5 85-170 mM Na₂HPO4 phosphate pH 6-7 pH 5-8

-   -   2. For non-reducing separation of proteins, incubate the mixed        sample at 70° C. for 5 min. For reducing separation of proteins,        a reducing reagent such 10 mM of β-mercaptoethanol, or DTT        (dithiothreitol) is added in the injection buffer. The sample is        then incubated at 70-90° C. for 10 min.    -   3. Transfer the prepared samples to a tube or a multi-well        plate.    -   4. Set up the polymer, running buffer, and sample plate        following the instruction of the capillary electrophoresis        instrument.    -   5. Following the instruction of the instrument to set up the        injection and separation running protocols. Perform separation        and detection of proteins by the following conditions with the        correct excitation wavelength and emission detection filter.

TABLE 6 Capillary 22-80 cm Injection voltage 5-10 kV Injectiontemperature Room temperature Injection time 10-40 seconds Running buffer50-150 mM TES or TAPS Denaturation reagent in running buffer 0.04-0.2%SDS phosphate 6-9 Separation running temperature 20-60° C. Separationrunning voltage 8-18 kV Separation running time 2000-5000 seconds

1.3 Method for the Separation and Detection of Un-Labeled Proteins byCapillary Electrophoresis

Proteins are not labeled and instead, are detected by their intrinsicfluorescence of tyrosine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine amino acidswithin the protein, or by UV at 214, 220, or 280 nm wavelength.

-   -   1. Mix protein with a sample injection buffer. The sample        injection buffer is as shown in Table 5 above, includes a        buffer, and a denaturation reagent.    -   2. For non-reducing separation of proteins, add a methylation        reagent such as iodoacetamide or N-ethylmaleimide at 10 mM and        incubate the mixed sample at 70° C. for 10 min.    -   3. For reducing separation of proteins, a reducing reagent such        10 mM of β-mercaptoethanol, or DTT (dithiothreitol) is added in        the injection buffer. The sample is then incubated at 70-90° C.        for 10 min.    -   4. Transfer the prepared samples to a tube or a multi-well        plate.    -   5. Set up the polymer, running buffer, and sample plate        following the instruction of the capillary electrophoresis        instrument.    -   6. Follow the instruction of the instrument to set up the        injection and separation running protocols. Run conditions are        as described in Table 6 above. Perform separation and detection        of proteins by the following conditions with the correct        excitation wavelength and emission detection filter.

Example 2. Separation of Proteins Under Native Conditions: Proteins areSeparated without Denaturation 2.1 Polymer Composition

Polymer compositions are similar, except that no denaturation reagentsuch as SDS will be used in the polymers and any reagents.

2.2 Method for the Separation and Detection of Proteins Labeled with aFluorescent Dye by Capillary Electrophoresis

Proteins are labeled with a suitable fluorescent dye that is detected bythe excitation and emission system of the system. For Thermo Fisher's3500 or 3500xL capillary electrophoresis instruments, the dyes include(but are not limited to) FAM, Alexa 400, LIZ, FQ etc. Proteins islabeled at primary amines such as the amino group at the N-terminus orthe lysine residues, or labeled at the sulfur group of cystines.

-   -   1. Prepare the labeled protein in a sample injection buffer at        room temperature. The sample injection buffer includes a buffer,        and a denaturation reagent. The following table shows the        example of sample injection buffers.

TABLE 7 Injection Buffer 1 Injection Buffer 2 Injection Buffer 3 50-100mM Tris-HCl 40-90 mM citric acid 10-60 mM sodium pH 7.4-9.5 85-170 mMNa₂HPO4 phosphate pH 6-7 pH 5-8

-   -   2. Transfer the prepared samples to a tube or a multi-well        plate.    -   3. Set up the polymer, running buffer, and sample plate        following the instruction of the capillary electrophoresis        instrument.    -   4. Following the instruction of the instrument to set up the        injection and separation running protocols. Perform separation        and detection of proteins by the following conditions with the        correct excitation wavelength and emission detection filter.

TABLE 8 Capillary 22-80 cm Injection voltage 5-10 kV Injectiontemperature Room temperature Injection time 10-40 seconds Running buffer50-150 mM TES or TAPS phosphate 6-9 Separation running temperature20-60° C. Separation running voltage 8-18 kV Separation running time2000-5000 seconds

2.3 Method for the Separation and Detection of Un-Labeled Proteins byCapillary Electrophoresis

Proteins are not labeled and will be detected by intrinsic fluorescenceof tyrosine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine amino acids in the protein orby UV at 214, 220, or 280 nm wavelength.

-   -   1. Mix protein with a sample injection buffer at room        temperature. The sample injection buffer includes a buffer, and        a denaturation reagent. The sample injection buffer is as shown        in Table 7 above.    -   2. Transfer the prepared samples to a tube or a multi-well        plate.    -   3. Set up the polymer, running buffer, and sample plate        following the instruction of the capillary electrophoresis        instrument.    -   4. Following the instruction of the instrument to set up the        injection and separation running protocols. Run conditions are        as described in Table 6 above. Perform separation and detection        of proteins by the following conditions with the correct        excitation wavelength and emission detection filter.

Example 3. Separation of Peptides Under Denaturation Conditions:Peptides are Molecules Composed of Small Number of Amino AcidsCovalently Linked by Peptide Bonds

Molecular weights in general are smaller than 10 kDa. Peptide separationis based on the molecular weight in the presence of the detergent SDS.

3.1 Polymer Compositions

Compositions of polymers are similar to those for protein separation.Since the molecular weights are smaller, concentration of polymers suchas polyacrylamide, polydimethylacrylamide, PEG or dextran may be higher.

3.2 Method for the Separation and Detection of Peptides Labeled with aFluorescent Dye by Capillary Electrophoresis

Peptides are labeled with a suitable fluorescent dye that is detected bythe excitation and emission. For Thermo Fisher's 3500 or 3500xLcapillary electrophoresis instruments, the dyes include (but are notlimited to) FAM, Alexa 400, LIZ, FQ etc. Peptides are labeled at primaryamines such as the amino group at the N-terminus, or at lysine residues,or at the sulfur group of cysteines.

-   -   1. Prepare the labeled peptides in a sample injection buffer.        The sample injection buffer includes a buffer, and a        denaturation reagent. The sample injection buffer is as shown in        Table 5 above.    -   2. To prevent cross linking of peptides with cysteines, a        reducing reagent such 10 mM of β-mercaptoethanol, or DTT        (dithiothreitol) is added in the injection buffer. The sample is        then incubated at 70-90° C. for 10 min.    -   3. Set up the polymer, running buffer, and sample plate        following the instruction of the capillary electrophoresis        instrument.    -   4. Following the instruction of the instrument to set up the        injection and separation running protocols. Conditions are as        described in Table 6 above. Perform separation and detection of        proteins by the following conditions with the correct excitation        wavelength and emission detection filter.

3.3 Method for the Separation and Detection of Un-Labeled Proteins byCapillary Electrophoresis

Peptides are not labeled and are detected by intrinsic fluorescence oftyrosine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine amino acids in the protein or byUV at 214, 220, or 280 nm wavelength.

-   -   1. Mix peptides with a sample injection buffer. The sample        injection buffer includes a buffer, and a denaturation reagent.        The sample injection buffer is as shown in Table 5 above.    -   2. To prevent cross linkage of peptides with cysteines, a        reducing reagent such 10 mM of β-mercaptoethanol, or DTT        (dithiothreitol) is added in the injection buffer. The sample is        then incubated at 70-90° C. for 10 min.    -   3. Transfer the prepared samples to a tube or a multi-well        plate.    -   4. Set up the polymer, running buffer, and sample plate        following the instruction of the capillary electrophoresis        instrument.    -   5. Following the instruction of the instrument to set up the        injection and separation running protocols. Conditions are as        described in Table 6 above. Perform separation and detection of        proteins by the following conditions with the correct excitation        wavelength and emission detection filter.

Example 4. Separation of Glycans 4.1 Polymer Compositions: Compositionsof Polymers are Similar to Those for Protein Separation. 4.2 Method forthe Separation and Detection of Glycans

Peptides are labeled with a suitable fluorescent dye that is detected bythe excitation and emission system of the system. For Thermo Fisher's3500 or 3500xL capillary electrophoresis instruments, the dyes include(but are not limited to) APTS, TEAL, and Turquoise. N-glycans that areattached to the asparagine amino acid on the protein is released by thedeglycosylation reaction, and labeled with one of these three dyes asdescribed in the procedures of these Thermo Fisher products(GlycanAssure™ APTS Kit Cat. no. A28676; GlycanAssure™ Teal Kit Cat. no.A28677; GlycanAssure™ Turquoise Kit Cat no. A28678).

-   -   1. Prepare the labeled peptides in a sample injection buffer as        described in the instruction of GlycanAssure™ procedure.    -   2. Set up the polymer, running buffer, and sample plate        following the instruction of the capillary electrophoresis        instrument.    -   3. Following the instruction of the instrument to set up the        injection and separation running protocols. Perform separation        and detection of proteins by the following conditions with the        correct excitation wavelength and emission detection filter.

TABLE 9 Capillary 22-80 cm Injection voltage 10-19.5 kV Injectiontemperature Room temperature Injection time 10-40 seconds Running buffer50-150 mM TES or TAPS Denaturation reagent in running buffer 0.04-0.2%SDS pH 6-9 Separation running temperature 20-60° C. Separation runningvoltage 8-18 kV Separation running time 2000-5000 seconds

Example 5 Synthesis of Poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide)

To a 500 mL 3 neck round bottom flask equipped with an argon gas inlet,temperature probe, and 1 rubber septa (equipped with a syringe needle asan argon gas outlet) was added 325 g of water followed by 12.0 gN,N-dimethylacrylamide. The flask was placed in a heated oil bath andpurging of the mixture with argon was begun while being stirred at 150rpm with an overhead stirrer (2 inch teflon blade). The temperature ofthe reaction mixture was raised to 50 C using the oil bath and monitoredwith a digital thermometer. When the reaction mixture reached 50 C, 1.75mL of 2-butanol and a 2.0 g sample of 4.0 wt % ammonium persulfate inwater was added to the solution by syringe. The temperature increased toabout 52 C after about 35 min and the reaction was allowed to stir underargon. The reaction was stirred for an additional 2 hr after peakexotherm of the reaction. Heating of the reaction mixture was stopped,about 50 g of deionized water was added and the reaction mixture wasstirred rapidly to mix air into the solution and quench the reaction.Ultrafiltration was used to remove unreacted or low molecular weightimpurities and to concentrate the solution to about 13 wt % polymer.

Example 6 A. Gel Formulations and Stability Testing

1,3-Dimethylurea (Tokyo Chemical Industry) was recrystallized prior touse. A gel formulation suitable for use in capillary electrophoresis wasprepared as follows. To a 50 mL flask was added 8.59 g of a 13.1 wt %solution of Polydimethylacrylamide, 5.40 g of 1,3-dimethylurea, 2.4 g of3730 Buffer (10X) (Applied Biosystems), and 13.61 g of water. Themixture was stirred for 2 hours, to yield a solution containing 3.75 wt% polydimethylacrylamide and 18 wt % (1.75M) 1,3-dimethylurea.1,1-Dimethylurea (Chem-Impex) was recrystallized prior to use. A gelformulation suitable for use in capillary electrophoresis was preparedas follows. To a 50 mL flask was added 8.59 g of a 13.1 wt % solution ofPolydimethylacrylamide, 5.40 g of 1,3-dimethylurea, 2.4 g of 3730 Buffer(10X) (Applied Biosystems), and 13.61 g of water. The mixture wasstirred for 2 hours, to yield a solution containing 3.75 wt %polydimethylacrylamide and 18 wt % (1.75M) 1,1-dimethylurea.

Using the methods described above, the formulations in Table 10 wereprepared. The conductivity of the formulations was tested at day 0, andat day 10 after storage at 37° C. The results indicate that while theformulation with 7M urea showed significant change in conductivity dueto degradation of the gel composition, the urea-free formulations of thepresent disclosure showed improved stability after storage at 37° C. for10 days.

TABLE 10 Conductivity (mS) Polymer Initial 10 days at 37° C. 2.0% LPAwith 7M Urea 600 1490* 2.0% LPA with 1.75M 1,3-Dimethylurea 700 820 2.0%LPA with 1.75M 1,1-Dimethylurea 870 1050  3.75% PDMA with 1.75M 1,3- 720800 Dimethylurea

B. Gel Applications

The resolution during capillary electrophoresis using a formulationprepared with 3.75 wt % polydimethylacrylamide and 1.75M1,3-dimethylurea as described above was tested using AppliedBiosystemsGeneScan™ 1200 LIZ™ dye Size Standard dye-labeled, single-stranded DNAfragments. Testing was carried out using an AppliedBiosystems 3500Genetic Analyzer under standard conditions. Results are shown in FIG. 11.

The reproducibility of resolution plots during capillaryelectrophoresis, and after aging of a formulation of the presentdisclosure prepared with 3.75% polydimethylacrylamide and 1.75M1,3-dimethylurea as described above was tested. Resolution is displayedin FIGS. 12A-12C for the initial resolution before aging (FIG. 12A), andafter aging at 37° C. for 27 days (FIG. 12B), and after aging at 37° C.for 56 days (FIG. 12C). AppliedBiosystems GeneScan™ 1200 LIZ™ dye SizeStandard dye-labeled, single-stranded DNA fragments were used for thetesting. Testing was carried out using an AppliedBiosystems 3500 GeneticAnalyzer.

Table 11 Lists shows values for crossover and for the migration time forthe 500 basepair fragment during capillary electrophoresis before andafter aging of a formulation prepared with 3.75% polydimethylacrylamideand 1.75M 1,3-dimethylurea for up to 56 days at 37C. Very little changein crossover and migration time was observed during the aging time.AppliedBiosystems GeneScan™ 1200 LIZ™ dye Size Standard dye-labeled,single-stranded DNA fragments was used for the testing. Testing wascarried out using an AppliedBiosystems 3500 Genetic Analyzer understandard conditions.

TABLE 11 Migration Time Day at for 500 37 C. Crossover Basepair  0 53014.5 14 530 14 20 530 13.9 27 530 14 42 510 14.5 56 510 13.6

The resolution during capillary electrophoresis of a portion ofAppliedBiosystems BigDye® Terminator v3.1 sequencing standard using aurea-free formulation of the present disclosure prepared with 2.0%polyacrylamide and 1.75M 1,3-dimethylurea as described above was testedusing an AppliedBiosystems 3500 Genetic Analyzer under standardconditions. Results are shown in FIG. 13 .

The resolution during capillary electrophoresis using a urea-freeformulation of the present disclosure prepared with 3.75 wt %polydimethylacrylamide and 1.75M 1,1-dimethylurea as described above wastested using AppliedBiosystems GeneScan™ 1200 LIZ™ dye Size Standarddye-labeled, single-stranded DNA fragments. Testing was carried outusing an AppliedBiosystems 3500 Genetic Analyzer under standardconditions. Results are shown in FIG. 14 .

The resolution during capillary electrophoresis urea-free formulation ofthe present disclosure prepared with 4.25 wt % polydimethylacrylamideand 15 wt % ethylurea as described above was tested usingAppliedBiosystems GeneScan™ 1200 LIZ™ dye Size Standard dye-labeled,single-stranded DNA fragments. Testing was carried out using anAppliedBiosystems 3500 Genetic Analyzer. Results are shown in FIG. 15 .

Example 7

One uL of double-stranded DNA end-labeled with TAMRA (black peaks) ismixed with 1 uL single stranded size standard labeled with Liz (orangepeaks) in 10 uL TE buffer. The sample mixture is injected into a singlecapillary CE instrument (Prism310; Thermo Fisher Scientific) andelectrophoretically separated at 40° C. and 15 kV. The separationpolymers consisted of (A) 2% LPA/0.08% pDMA/GA buffer/38% urea=POP7), or(B) 2% LPA/0.07% pDMA/GA buffer/10% sucrose.

Results: In the presence of the polymer formulation that contains thedenaturant urea (16A and 17A) smaller peaks show peak splitting, the340/350 bp peaks were not resolved, and larger size DNA fragments showpeak broadening indicative of denaturation. The two smallest peaks(39/50 bp) were not resolved from the primer peak. The non-ureacontaining polymer formulation (16B and 17B) shows symmetrical, wellresolved peaks across the analyzed size spectrum.

Example 8

A polymer solution consisting of 4.0% pDMA, 1× GA buffer and 20% sucrosewas kept at 37° C. and installed on a Genetic Analyzer 3500xl (ThermoFisher Scientific) at Day 0 (A), and after 8 weeks (B) (and at othertime points in between). One uL GlobalFiler was mixed with 1 uLLiz-labeled size standard and 10 uL formamide. The mixture was denaturedfor 5 minutes at 95° C. followed by cooling down to 4° C.Electrophoresis was performed at 60° C. and 15 kV running voltage.

Results: No significant change in separation of 1-bp alleles (circled),or peak broadening for the individual peaks of the Liz1200 size standard(bottom panels) as an indicator for loss in resolution were observed.Results are shown in FIGS. 18A-18D1.

Example 9

One uL of the GeneRuler 1 kb Plus DNA Ladder (Thermo Fisher Scientific)at a concentration of 25 ng/uL was mixed with 10 uL of 1:1400 dilutedQuant-iT PicoGreen dsDNA reagent (Thermo Fisher Scientific) Analysis wasdone with a separation polymer consisting of 4% pDMA, 1× GA buffer, 20%sucrose; electrophoresis was performed at 60C and 19 kV.

Results: All 15 GeneRuler dsDNA fragments ranging in size from 75 to20,000 bp were efficiently labeled with the PicoGreen reagent andseparated well in the sucrose containing polymer (peaks labeled “b”).The peaks labeled “a” show single-stranded DNA fragments labeled withthe dye LIZ; these single-stranded DNA fragments do not interact withPicoGreen. Results are shown in FIG. 19 .

Example 10

The STR marker THO1 was separated in urea-free polymer formulations ofthe present disclosure in the presence or absence of sucrose. In (1) theLPA polymer concentration was held at 2.8% (FIG. 20A panels A, B, C) andsucrose was added to 10% (FIG. 20A panel D), 18% (FIG. 20A panel E), or20% (FIG. 20A panel F). One uL of the THO1 STR marker was mixed with 10uL formamide. This was followed by denaturation for 5 minutes at 95° C.followed by cooling down to 4° C. The sample separated in thenon-sucrose containing formulation was subjected to electrophoresis at65° C. at an electric field of 19.5 kV (FIG. 20A panel A), 14 kV (FIG.20A panel B), and 10 kV (FIG. 20A panel C). Samples in formulationscontaining sucrose (FIG. 20A panels D-F) were electrophoresed at 65° C.and 19.5 kV. For comparison, the same sample was separated using thecommercially available POP7 polymer (FIG. 20A panel G).

In (FIG. 20B) the LPA polymer concentration was held at 2.2% (FIG. 20Bpanels A and B,) and sucrose was added to 19% (FIG. 20B panel C), or 20%(FIG. 20B panel D). The sample was separated by electrophoresis at 65°C. at an electric field of 19.5 kV (FIG. 20B panel A) or 9 kV (FIG. 20Bpanel B) with the polymer in the absence of sucrose, or at 65° C. and19.5 kV in both sucrose containing formulations. Note: The electricfield was lowered in the non-sucrose containing formulations todemonstrate that a reduction in electrophoresis speed as observed in thepresence of sucrose is not responsible for the improved resolution asobserved in the presence of sucrose.

Results are shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B. The circled peak(s) indicate thealleles 9.1/10 of the THO1 STR marker that differ in size by 1 base.While with the 2.2% LPA containing polymer (FIG. 20B) in the absence ofsucrose no separation of both alleles is observed (FIG. 20B panels A andB), both alleles are well resolved in the presence of 19%, or 20%sucrose (FIG. 20B panel C and D). With the 2.8% LPA formulation (FIG.20A) some resolution of the 9.1/10 alleles is observed (FIG. 20A panelsA-C), significantly better separation is observed in the presence ofsucrose (FIG. 20A panels D-F). Here the separation of both alleles iscomparable to the separation utilizing a commercially available polymer,containing urea as a denaturant (FIG. 20A panel G).

Example 11

Spatial calibration was performed on a 24-capillary array on a 3500xlGenetic Analyzer (Thermo Fisher Scientific) with the following polymersolutions (A) a commercial polymer formulation containing urea (POP7 TM)(B) 2.2% LPA, 0.07% pDMA, 1× GA buffer, 0% sucrose, (C) 2.2% LPA, 0.07%pDMA, 1× GA buffer, 10% sucrose, (D) 2.2% LPA, 0.07% pDMA, 1× GA buffer,16% sucrose, (E) 2.2% LPA, 0.07% pDMA, 1× GA buffer, 18% sucrose, (F)2.2% LPA, 0.07% pDMA, 1× GA buffer, 20% sucrose.

Results: Table 12 shows the relative signal intensity associated witheach of the 24 capillaries of the array in response to the testedpolymer formulation (A) to (F). The commercial polymer containing ureaas a denaturant (A) shows a passing spectral with the average signalabove the configured minimum of 3000 and relative even signal across all24 capillaries with a % CV of 10.6. However, a similar formulation as(A) without urea fails all passing criteria with (1) a measured peakheight of one more capillaries below the minimum threshold of 2000, (2)the measured average peak height of 1894 below the configured minimum of3000, and (3) the measured signal non-uniformity of 0.355 is above theconfigured maximum of 0.2. Adding sucrose at increasing concentrations(C) to (F) still shows improving spatial calibrations for solutionscontaining sucrose at 10% (C), or 16% (D), where for formulation (C) ameasured peak height of one more capillaries is below the minimumthreshold of 2000, (2) the measured average peak height of 2239 is belowthe configured minimum of 3000, and (3) the measured signalnon-uniformity of 0.252 is above the configured maximum of 0.2. Forpolymer formulation containing 16% sucrose (D) only the measured averagepeak height of 2734 is below the configured minimum of 3000. Polymerformulations containing 18% sucrose (E) or 20% sucrose (F) show allpassing spatial calibration with signal uniformity as expressed by % CVsignificantly better than observed with commercial formulation (A).

TABLE 12 Capillary Number A B C D E F 1 5435 3462 3398 3530 3576 3724 25599 2797 3047 3293 3281 3468 3 5782 2417 2878 3343 3347 3766 4 60682030 2501 3045 3053 3391 5 6266 1896 2275 2995 3206 3724 6 6218 17182184 2825 3133 3724 7 6475 1641 2120 2848 3205 3780 8 6710 1622 20872673 3066 3632 9 6743 1361 1772 2368 3050 3572 10 6976 1432 1966 23822916 3560 11 7188 1361 1862 2417 2949 3503 12 6749 1303 1727 2387 29233639 13 6829 1410 1833 2170 2670 3333 14 6535 1157 1552 2031 2645 323415 6542 1363 1597 2472 2739 3340 16 6138 1426 1706 2287 2877 3464 175863 1367 1792 2363 2774 3306 18 5684 1463 1911 2499 3010 3480 19 56511612 1958 2627 2955 3440 20 5349 1830 2141 2555 2898 3300 21 5339 21132287 2811 3129 3399 22 5199 2385 2653 2926 3098 3426 23 5068 2808 29383188 3304 3466 24 5056 3502 3543 3587 3634 3725 Average 6061 1895 22392734 3060 3517 StDev 645 672 564 431 253 165 % CV 10.6 35.5 25.2 15.88.3 4.7

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for separating one or more biomoleculesin an analyte, the method comprising: (i) providing a separation medium,wherein the separation medium comprises (a) at least one polymer orcopolymer, (b) an aqueous solvent or aqueous buffer, wherein theseparation medium exhibits functional stability for electrophoresisafter storage at a temperature of at least about 15° C. for at least oneweek; and (ii) passing an analyte through the separation medium under anapplied electric field to enable electrophoretic separation of one ormore biomolecules.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the analytecomprises nucleic acids, proteins, peptides, glycoproteins, or glycans.3. The method of claim 1, wherein the analyte comprises nucleic acid andwherein the nucleic acid comprises one or more short tandem repeats(STRs).
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrophoretic separationis carried out under non-denaturing conditions and/or wherein theseparation medium is a non-denaturing separation medium.
 5. The methodof claim 4, wherein the analyte comprises double stranded DNA.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, further comprising contacting one or moreintercalating dyes with the analyte prior to passing the analyte throughthe separation medium.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the separationmedium is stored at a temperature of 15° C. to 40° C. for at least onemonth prior to passing the analyte therethrough.
 8. The method of claim1, wherein the separation medium exhibits functional stability forelectrophoresis after storage at a temperature of at least about 20° C.for at least one week.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein separation ofthe one or more biomolecules is carried out using a plurality ofcapillaries.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the separation mediumfurther comprises an organic water miscible solvent.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the solvent comprises DMSO and/or acetonitrile. 12.The method of claim 1, wherein the separation medium further comprises awall-coating material configured to inhibit electroosmotic flow.
 13. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the separation medium is substantially freeof urea.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one polymer orcopolymer comprises an N-substituted acrylamide polymer.
 15. The methodof claim 14, wherein the N-substituted acrylamide polymer comprises anN-substituted dimethylacrylamide, N-substituted diethylacrylamide,N-acryloyl-aminoethoxyethanol acrylamide, N-allyl glucose, orcombination thereof.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the separationmedium further comprises sucrose.
 17. The method of claim 16, whereinthe sucrose is included at 10 wt. % to 50 wt. %.
 18. The method of claim1, wherein the at least one polymer or copolymer is crosslinked.
 19. Anelectrophoresis separation medium comprising: (a) a sieving componentcomprising at least one polymer or copolymer; (b) one or more agents;and (c) an aqueous solvent or aqueous buffer; wherein the separationmedium exhibits at least one of (i) the one or more agents comprise adenaturant comprising one or more of methylurea, ethylurea, adimethylurea, or a diethylurea, (ii) the one or more agents comprisesucrose included at 10 wt. % to 50 wt. % of the separation medium, or(iii) the at least one polymer or copolymer comprises an N-substitutedacrylamide polymer selected from the group consisting of N-substituteddimethylacrylamide, N-substituted diethylacrylamide,N-acryloyl-aminoethoxyethanol acrylamide, N-allyl glucose, andcombinations thereof, and wherein the electrophoresis separation mediumexhibits functional stability for electrophoresis after storage at atemperature of at least about 15° C. for at least one week.
 20. Anelectrophoresis separation medium comprising: (a) a sieving componentcomprising at least one polymer or copolymer; (b) optionally, one ormore agents, (c) an aqueous solvent or aqueous buffer, wherein theelectrophoresis separation medium is substantially free of urea.